INTERFERENCE FIGURE Meaning and
Definition
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Interference figure refers to the optical pattern observed when polarized light is passed through a transparent mineral under a microscope equipped with polarizing filters. It is used as a tool for studying the optical properties of minerals and identifying their characteristics.
The interference figure is created by the interaction of polarized light passing through a crystal and becoming modified by the crystal's crystallographic orientation, anisotropy, and internal stresses. As the light passes through the crystal, it splits into two rays traveling at different speeds due to the birefringence or double refraction properties of the mineral. When the rays recombine after passing through the crystal, they interfere with each other, creating a pattern of bright and dark areas.
The interference figure is visible as a series of concentric rings or ellipses, known as isochromes and isogyres, respectively, surrounding a central black cross known as the "order of the figure." These patterns provide valuable information about the crystal's optical properties, including the length and orientation of its optical axes. By analyzing the interference figure, geologists and mineralogists can determine the crystal system, composition, strain, and other physical characteristics of minerals.
Interference figures are particularly useful in identifying minerals with similar optical properties but different physical and chemical properties. They are widely used in petrology, mineralogy, and geology for the identification and classification of minerals and for understanding the tectonic history and deformation of rocks.
Common Misspellings for INTERFERENCE FIGURE
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Etymology of INTERFERENCE FIGURE
The word "interference figure" is derived from the combination of the terms "interference" and "figure".
The term "interference" comes from the Latin word "interferre", which means "to strike against" or "to intervene". In the context of optics, interference refers to the phenomenon that occurs when two or more light waves combine and either reinforce or cancel each other out, resulting in a pattern of light and dark areas.
The word "figure" in this context refers to a visible pattern or shape. It is derived from the Latin word "figura", which means "shape", "form", or "figure".
Therefore, when used together, the term "interference figure" refers to the pattern or figure produced by the interference of light waves in an optical system, typically observed under a microscope.
