Conoscopic interference pattern
 | This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. (December 2009) |
- This page is about the geology/optical mineralogy term. For general information about interference, see Interference (wave propagation) or Interference patterns.
A Conoscopic interference pattern or interference figure is the best way to determine if a mineral is uniaxial or biaxial and also for determining optic sign in optical mineralogy. The observed interference figure essentially shows all possible birefringence colors at once, including the extinctions (in dark bands called isogyres).
In optical mineralogy a petrographic microscope and cross-polarized light are often used to view the interference pattern. This is done by placing a Bertrand lens (Emile Bertrand, 1878) between a high-power microscope objective and the eyepiece. The microscope's condenser is brought up close underneath the specimen to produce a wide divergence of polarized rays through a small point. There are many other techniques used to observe the interference pattern.
A uniaxial mineral will show a typical 'Maltese' cross shape and its isogyres, which will revolve/orbit around a projection of the optical axis as the stage is rotated.
A biaxial mineral will typically show a saddle-shaped figure (with one isogyre thicker than the other, typically) that will often morph into to curved isogyres with rotation of the stage. The difference in these curved isogyres is known as the "2V" angle. In minerals that have far-off-center optic axes, only one part of the above sequence may be seen.
A Michel-Levy Chart is often used in conjunction with the interference pattern to determine useful information that aids in the identification of minerals.
References
- W.D. Nesse (1991). Introduction of Optical Mineralogy (2nd ed.).
- Albert Johannsen (1914). Manual of Petrographic Methods.