Biaxial Interference Figures I

Interference Figures
Biaxial Minerals
ERSC 2P22 Brock University Greg Finn
Biaxial Interference Figures

Figures are obtained the same way as uniaxial figures The appearance of the figure is dependant on the orientation of the mineral grain and its corresponding indicatrix Figures to be examined:
Acute Bisectrix (Bxa) Biaxial Optic Axis (OA) Obtuse Bisectricx (Bxo) Biaxial Optic Normal or Flash Figure (ON) Random Orientation
Acute Bisectrix Figure

Optic Normal
Optic Plane
M Bxa
Isochromes Isogyre

The Acute Bisectrix (Bxa) figure results when the Bxa is perpendicular to the microscope stage. If the 2V angle is < 60, both Melatopes (M), marking the point of emergence of the Optic Axes, lie within the FOV. The Isochromes form a tear drop or figure 8 shape about the melatopes. The Isochromes are assymmetrically arranged about the M. At Extinction the Isogyre cross forms. The arm parallel to the Optic Plane contains the Melatopes (M) and is the thinner arm. The arm parallel to the Optic Normal is the fatter arm. The two arms intersect at the Bxa.
Optic Normal
Isogyre
M Bxa
Optic Plane
Isochromes

On rotating the stage, the Isogyre cross splits into two identical hyperbolae. Each arm is centered on and rotates about the Melatopes (M), which in turn rotate around the Bxa. The Isogyre arms are curved, with the convex side pointing towards the Bxa. The Isochromes also rotate with the figure, but maintain their symmetrical arrangment about the Melatopes.
Optic Normal
45 Rotation
Optic Normal
M M Bxa M Optic Plane Optic Plane

At extinction 45 from extinction
Bxa M

Formation of Isochromes I
Retardation increases outwards from the OA. Towards the Bxa the retardation increases at a slower rate than in the opposite direction. This is a function of lower birefringence and the length of the path the light follows. Light following paths 1 - 4 experience ~600 nm of retardation and when this light exits the mineral grain defines the 600 nm isochrome
2 3 OA 4 Bxa OA 1
Z Y
Convergent cone of light from Auxillary Condensor ERSC 2P22 Brock University Greg Finn

Formation of Isochromes II
2
Light traveling along each OA experiences 0 retardation = d(ns-nf)
Bxa
M 1
300 nm
Light traveling along any other path experiences varying degrees of retardation, depending on the distance through the mineral and the corresponding birefringence The Isochromes are developed along lines of equal retardation
600 nm 900 nm
2 3 OA 4 Bxa OA 1
Z Y
Convergent cone of light from Auxillary Condensor ERSC 2P22 Brock University Greg Finn

The vibration directions on the biaxial indicatrix can be derived in a similar manner to that used for Uniaxial Minerals Principal Sections through the indicatrix contain the indicatrix axes X, Y and Z By taking a series of slices through the indicatrix, at right angles to the wave normals, the vibration directions for all paths of light emerging from the indicatrix can be determined.
XZ plane = Optical Axial Plane (OAP)
Optic Axis
Y X
Optic Normal
Vibration directions of light rays emerging from the biaxial indicatrix, projected onto the indicatrix surface
Optic Axis
Bxa Vibration Directions
Isogyre cross forms where the vibration directions of the light rays passing through the mineral are parallel to the vibration directions of the Polars Vibration Directions of light, within the interference figure
Vibration directions for a number of wave paths through the mineral, projected onto the top surface of the mineral Vibration Directions of light, on the surface of the indicatrix, exiting the mineral
FOV M Bxa M
Isogyre Rotation
If the 2V < 60, both Melatopes will remain within the FOV on rotation
ON ON ON M M Bxa M OAP Bxa M OAP
At Extinction
Bxa M OAP
45 from Extinction
With the Optic Axial Plane (OAP) oriented EW, the isogyre forms a cross a that: 1) Narrows at the Melatopes (M), and 2) Widens along the trace of the Optic Normal (ON)
With a rotation of the stage the cross splits into two segments that pivot about the position of the Melatopes (M). Again the isogyre is narrowest at the Melatope.
With the OAP in the 45 position the isogyres form hyperbole centred on the Melatopes (M). Light vibrating along the OAP has an RI=nBxo, light vibrating along the trace of the ON has an RI=n.
Isogyre Rotation
If the 2V > 60, both Melatopes will remain outside the FOV on rotation
ON ON M Bxa M OAP M M
At Extinction
OAP
OAP ON M
Bxa
Bxa
M
45 from Extinction
Bxa for a mineral with a 2V > 60. Both Melatopes lie outside the FOV, along the thinner arm of the cross. The Isochromes are oriented about the Melatopes. The OAP is oriented parallel to the EW crosshair.
On rotation (30-45) the Isogyre cross splits and the arms leave the FOV in the quadrants into which the OAP is being rotated. The Larger the 2V, the lower the angle of rotation for the Isogyres to exit. Isochrome shape is preserved.
Following a rotation of 45, the OAP is oriented NE-SW and the Isogyres lie entirely outside the FOV. The Isochromes occupy the FOV
Bxa Figure
For minerals with a 2V < 60, the melatopes and Isogyres will remain in the FOV as the stage is rotated For minerals with a 2V > 60, the melatopes will lie outside the FOV And the isogyres will leave the FOV and are not visible in the 45 position
Estimating the 2V Angle

A reliable estimate of the 2V angle, based on the separation of the isogyres, can be obtained with the Bxa Figure in the 45 position, with the OAP oriented NE-SW
Estimate of 2V based on the separation of the isogyres in the Bxa Figure
2V = 15
2V = 30
2V = 60 2V = 45
Optic Axis Figure

For Biaxial Minerals with 2V < 30
An Optic Axis Figure results when one Optic Axis (OA) is vertical The figure may be centred or offcentred, depending on how close to vertical the OA is For a Centred Optic Axis Figure, the melatope for that OA, is positioned directly under the crosshairs
Centred Optic Axis Figure

ON
For Biaxial Minerals with 2V < 30

OAP ON
Bxa
OAP
M Bxa M
At Extinction
45 from Extinction
One Melatope (M) lies at the intersection of the crosshairs. The thin arm of the Isogyre marks the position of the OAP and contains the melatopes and the Bxa. With a low 2V the figure resembles an offcentred Bxa Figure
With a rotation of 45, the Isogyre splits into two hyperbolae, centred on the Melatopes. The Isochromes are rotated, yet retain their tear-drop/Figure 8 shape

For Biaxial Minerals with 2V > 45
ON At extinction one arm of the Isogyre cross will be visible. This arm will narrow at the Melatope and be parallel to the OAP. This arm will be oriented parallel to one of the crosshairs.
OAP
Bxa
OAP Bxo
OA
Bxa
Indicatrix is oriented such that one OA is vertical Principal sections and Vibration directions of light are shown on the indicatrix surface.
OA ON

For Biaxial Minerals with 2V > 30
ON Bxa OAP M Bxa OAP M
Bxa With a counterclockwise rotation the isogyre arm rotates clockwise, pivoting around the M
With the optic plane in the 45 position the Isogyre will show its maximum curvature and the position of the Bxa lies on the convex side of the Isogyre
OAP
Estimate of 2V based on the curvature of the Isogyre in the Optic Axis Figure
OAP
2V = 5
2V = 15
2V = 30
2V = 45
2V = 60
2V = 75
Optic Axis Figure 2V=90

OAP
Isogyre is straight, no curvature OAP lies at 45, passing through the Melatope Cannot determine the position of the Bxa
Obtuse Bisectrix (Bxo) Figure

Results when Obtuse Bisectrix (Bxo) is perpendicular to microscope stage As the angle between Bxo and Optic Axes > 45, Melatopes will always lie outside FOV The pattern of the Isochromes and vibration directions are similar to those of Bxa figure The isogyre cross is generally fuzzier than Bxa figure, but Optic Plane will still parallel EW or NS crosshair

On rotating the stage the Isogyre cross will split and leave the field of view in the quadrants into which the Optic Plane is being rotated, as with Bxa figure Isogyres split and leave FOV, usually with a rotation of 5 to 15 For a Bxo figure the Isogyres, when they split, will not be in the field of view If 2V = 90, Bxa and Bxo Figures are identical If 2V is small, Bxo figure resembles an Optic Normal (Biaxial Flash) Figure

OAP In the interference figure the two Melatopes (M) lie outside the FOV. The Isogyre cross has a broad fuzzy appearance, with the thinner arm lying along the OAP
Bxo
Bxo
Indicatrix is oriented such that the Bxo is vertical OA Bxa The OAP is vertical, containing the Bxo, Bxa and OAs
OA
ON

OAP M Bxo M OAP Bxo
With a rotation of 5 to 15 the Isogyre cross splits and leaves the FOV in the quadrants into which the OAP is being rotated With a 45 rotation the arms of the Isogyre lie well outside the FOV and the pattern of the Isochromes, if present will be visible
OAP
Bxo
Optic Normal Figure

AKA Biaxial Flash Figure Similar to Uniaxial Flash Figure Results when the Optic Normal is vertical and the Optic Plane is horizontal A grain that will produce an Optic Normal Figure will display the maximum interference colours The vibration directions in figure are similar to those for a uniaxial flash figure
Optic Normal Figure

When X & Z indicatrix axes parallel the polarization directions, figure is a broad fuzzy cross with only the outer edges of each quadrant allowing any light to pass. Very small degree of rotation <5 causes the isogyres to split and leave the field of view from the quadrants into which the Bxa is being rotated If 2V = 90 the cross - shaped isogyre does not split as the stage is rotated, it simply dissolves away with a 5 - 10 rotation
Optic Normal Figure

Bxa or Bxo With the Bxa and Bxo parallel to the polarization directions the Isogyres form a broad fuzzy cross, with only the outer edges of each quadrant allowing any light to pass
ON
Bxa or Bxo
FOV ON The Indicatrix is oriented such that the Optic Normal (ON) is vertical. The Optic Plane, containing the Bxa, Bxo and OAs, is horizontal and lies in the plane of the section
Bxo
OA Bxa OA
Optic Normal Figure

Bxa or Bxo Bxo
ON
Bxa or Bxo
ON
Bxa
5 Rotation At Extinction
Bxo
With the Bxa and Bxo parallel to the polarization directions the Isogyres form a broad fuzzy cross The Indicatrix is oriented such that the Optic Normal (ON) is vertical. The Optic Plane, containing the Bxa, Bxo and OAs, is horizontal and lies in the plane of the section
ON
Bxa
45 from Extinction
Off-Centred Figures
Most interference figures examined during routine microscope work are offcentred figures. In these instances none of the indicatrix or optic axes is vertical. Any combination of orientations are possible for off-centred figures
10

Biaxial Interference Figures I

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Interference Figures

ERSC 2P22 Brock University Greg Finn