Conoscopic interference pattern: Difference between revisions

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==Simplified discussion==

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A Conoscopic interference pattern, or interference figure, is the best way to determine if a mineral has one direction of single refraction or two directions of single refraction. (Herein after referred to as Birefringence) It is also used to tell which ray of light is faster in birefraction. The observed interference figure essentially shows all possible birefringence colors at once, including the extinctions. (in dark bands called isogyres)

Light as we see it is seemingly white, but when it is viewed through a mineral we can see that it is separated into a body of colors and each individual color represents a particular wavelength. As a wavelength each color has a different speed. Also minerals can inhibit light, limiting lightslight's movement; Soso when light passes through a mineral it is separated into many different wavelengths, sometimes getting trapped in certain places resulting in a black color. For example: When a mineral is observed through a petrographic microscope with a cross-polarized light you will see multiple colors and some darker lines within the mineral. (The trapped light is referred to as isogyres.)

In summation, Conoscopic interference patterns are essentially what we use to see how light reacts to certain minerals, and how we can see how much or how little light is inhibited by said mineral.