Optic Sign Detemination

Biaxial Minerals

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Biaxial Interference Figures

• Now that the interference figures have
been attained and identified, the Optic
Sign of the Biaxial mineral can be
determined
• First recap conventions used to
determine the Biaxial Optic Sign from
an earlier lecture, followed by
• How the Optic Sign can be determined

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Biaxial Minerals
• Biaxial optic sign is dependant on
whether the X or Z indicatrix axis is the
Acute Bisectrix (Bxa)
– If X = Bxa, mineral is optically negative
– If Z = Bxa, mineral is optically positive

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Biaxial Indicatrix
Optic Normal or Optic Plane Section
OA Z OA Z
Biaxial
Optic nγ
nγ 2VZ
Sign
nβ nβ
nβ OA
nβ
Circular 2VX
nα Sections nα
nβ nβ
X X
OA
nβ nβ

Biaxial Positive Biaxial Negative

Acute Bisectrix (Bxa) = Z Acute Bisectrix (Bxa) = X
Obtuse Bisectrix (Bxo) = X Obtuse Bisectrix (Bxo) = Z
2Vz = acute angle between OAs 2VX = acute
ERSCangle between
2P22 – Brock University
OAsGreg Finn

Biaxial Indicatrix
• Another convention used to identify the
angle between the OAs bisected by:
– the X axis as the 2VX angle
– the Z axis as the 2VZ angle
• Angle can vary from 0 to 180°, where:
2VX + 2VZ = 180°
• If 2VZ < 90°, mineral is positive
• If 2VZ > 90°, mineral is negative
• If 2VZ = 90°, mineral is neutral

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Biaxial Optic Sign

• In determining the Optic Sign of a
biaxial mineral we need to determine
whether the X or Z indicatrix axis is the
Bxa and from that the corresponding
optic sign
• Will look at various biaxial interference
figures, beginning with the Bxa Figure

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Determining the Optic Sign
• In a centred Bxa figure two
rays of light propagate
along the acute bisectrix,
and emerge in the centre of
the figure
• At extinction the two rays
nBxo Bxa vibrate parallel with the
upper and lower polarizers
forming centre of cross.
nβ • One ray vibrates parallel to
the Optic Normal (Y
indicatrix axis) has index
nβ.
• Other ray vibrates parallel
to the Obtuse Bisectrix
ON
and has an index nBxo.

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Determining the Optic Sign

• This ray vibration direction
is also parallel to the OAP
(thinner arm) and contains
the Melatopes.
• For optically positive
minerals, the Bxo is the X
nBxo Bxa OAP
axis and nBxo = nα, and
corresponds to the fast ray
(nα<nβ<nγ).
nβ • For optically negative
minerals, Bxo is the Z axis
and nBxo = nγ, and
corresponds to the slow
ray.
• Must determine whether
REMEMBER ON the ray vibrating parallel
X is always the fast ray to the obtuse bisectrix is
the fast or slow ray.
Z is always the slow ray ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Determining the Optic Sign

Steps
1. Obtain an acute bisectrix interference figure.
2. Rotate the stage so that the trace of the
OAP is oriented NE-SW, i.e., the isogyres
split and move into the NE and SW
quadrants.
– if 2V is small, isogyres stay in field of view
– if 2V is large, isogyres leave field of view
3. Insert accessory plate, with slow vibration
direction oriented NE-SW; observe colour
change or movement direction of
isochromes.

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Determining the Optic Sign
Steps (continued)
4) Interpretation
– If the interference colours between the Melatopes
decreases the ray vibrating parallel to Bxo
decreases,
(parallel to OAP) must be the fast ray so Bxo = X
axis (X = fast ray) and Bxa, which is vertical, must
be the Z axis. Mineral is +ve.
– If the interference colours between the Melatopes
increases the ray vibrating parallel to Bxo must
increases,
be the slow ray, so Bxo = Z axis, and Bxa = X
axis. Mineral is -ve.

NOTE: If the OAP is placed NW-SE, the areas of addition and

subtraction observed for the interference colours will be
reversed.

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Determining the Optic Sign

nBxo For an Optically Positive Mineral

nβ Bxa = Z axis

OAP Bxo = X axis

Z = Bxa ON = Y Axis

OAP

2V
Therefore nBxo = nα
and must be the
Fast Ray
X = Bxo ON = Y

OA OA
OAP
ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Determining the Optic Sign

For an Optically Negative Mineral
nBxo
Bxa = X axis nβ
Bxo = Z axis OAP

ON = Y Axis
X = Bxa

OAP
Therefore nBxo = nγ
and must be the 2V

Slow Ray
Z = Bxo ON = Y

OA OA
OAP
ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Determining the Optic Sign
• How do we determine whether the ray
which vibrates parallel to the OAP in the
biaxial interference figure and has an
index of refraction = nBxo is the Fast or
Slow ray?
• ie. whether:
• nBxo = nα, or
• nBxo = nγ

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Determining the Optic Sign

Gypsum Plate

nBxa` Determine whether nBxa`

nBxo nBxo = nα or nγ? nBxo

nβ nBxo = nα nβ
nBxa` nBxa`
OAP Because the colours OAP
decreased moved down the
decreased,
chart as the Gypsum plate
+ve was inserted -ve
nBxa` nBxa`
nBxo nBxo = nγ nBxo
nβ Because the colours nβ
nBxa` increased moved down the
increased, nBxa`
OAP chart as the Gypsum plate OAP
was inserted
Optically Positive Optically Negative
ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Determining the Optic Sign

Quartz Wedge
nBxa` Determine whether nBxa`
nBxo nBxo = nα or nγ? nBxo

nβ nBxo = nα nβ
nBxa` nBxa`
OAP Because the colours move in OAP
along the trace of the OAP
and out along the ON, as the
quartz wedge is inserted

nBxa` nBxa`
nBxo nBxo = nγ nBxo
nβ Because the colours move out nβ
nBxa` along the trace of the OAP nBxa`
OAP and in along the ON as the OAP
quartz wedge is inserted
Optically Positive Optically Negative
ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Determining the Optic Sign
Which accessory plate to use?
• If the interference figure displays few to no
isochromes use the gypsum plate
– Look for increases or decreases in colours by 550 nm
• If there are numerous isochromes use the quartz
wedge and watch the directions in which the
isochromes move with respect to the isogyres.
– Where colours increase, the isochromes move into the figure
towards the melatopes, to be replaced by higher order
colours from the edge of the figure.
– Where the colours decrease the isochromes move out of the
figure away from the melatopes, to be replaced by lower
order colours.

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Determining the Optic Sign

Obtuse Bisectrix Figure
• The Bxo figure can be interpreted in the same way as the Bxa
figure except that the trace of the OAP has an index of
refraction equal to nBxa rather than nBxo
• If the ray vibrating ║ to optic plane is the fast ray then the Bxa is
the X axis
Mineral is -ve
• If the ray vibrating║to optic plane, is the slow ray, then the Bxa
is Z axis.
Mineral is +ve
• Optic plane lies in the quadrants of FOV into which the isogyres
move and leave the FOV on rotation
• If 2V is large, it is difficult to distinguish Bxa from Bxo figure,
sign determination is impractical and new grain should be
selected

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Obtuse Bisectrix (Bxo) Figure

OAP

OAP nBxa
M nBxa Bxo M Bxo
nβ
nβ

For a Bxo figure, two rays of light

propagate along the obtuse bisectrix, Determine whether:
and emerge in the centre of the figure
nBxa = nα Fast Ray
With a 45° rotation, the cross splits
and leaves the FOV. The arms of the ÎOptically negative
Isogyre lie well outside the FOV and
the pattern of the Isochromes, if
nBxa = nγ Slow Ray
present will be visible ÎOptically positive
ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Centred Optic Axis Figure
ON For Biaxial Minerals with 2V < 30°
OAP

ON

M nBxo Bxa M OAP M

nβ Bxa
nBxo
M nβ

At Extinction 45° from Extinction

If both melatopes lie in the field of view, With a rotation of 45°, the Isogyre splits
the optic axis figure can be treated as into two hyperbolae, centred on the
an off centered acute bisectrix figure. Melatopes. The Isochromes are rotated,
yet retain their tear-drop/Figure ‘8’ shape
ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Centred Optic Axis Figure

For Biaxial Minerals with 2V > 30°
ON Bxa
nBxo`

OAP M Bxa M nβ

nBxa`
nβ
OAP

If one melatope is visible, then it can be

considered to be half of Bxa figure.
With a 45° rotation, the acute bisectrix
lies on the convex side of the isogyre,
outside the FOV
Isogyre will be curved, with the degree of
curvature reflecting the 2V angle

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Centred Optic Axis Figure

For Biaxial Minerals withBxa
2V > 30°
The OAP is parallel to the slow nBxo`
ray direction of the Gypsum
Plate. The Convex side of the
Isogyre points toward the Bxa. M nβ
Optically Negative
Optically Positive nBxa`
Interference colours Increase
Interference colours decrease nβ on the convex side of the
on the convex side of the OAP
Isogyre
Isogyre

nBxo` = nα nBxo` = nγ

nβ nβ

nBxa` = nγ nBxa` = nα
nβ nβ

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Determining the Optic Sign
Optic Axis Figure
• If 2V = 90°, degree of curvature cannot be
determined. The isogyre appears as a
straight line parallel to the crosshair when the
grain is at extinction. It may be confused with
an off-centred uniaxial optic axis figure,
however when the stage is rotated the biaxial
figure will also rotate while the uniaxial figure
will move parallel to the crosshairs.
• With 2V = 90° the mineral is optically neutral
and the sign is neither + or -

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Determining the Optic Sign

Flash Figure
• Not useful for determining optic sign,
because 2V cannot be determined and
it cannot be distinguished from a
uniaxial flash figure.

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Optic Normal Figure

Bxa or Bxo

Bxa

nBxa
ON Bxa or
ON
Bxo
nBxo

Bxo
45° from Extinction
At Extinction

On rotating the Flash Figure, the In the 45° position the Bxa is oriented
isogyre cross splits and leaves the NE-SW.
FOV with a rotation of <10°.
Can now test to see whether the Bxa is:
The isogyre arms leave the FOV in the fast ray (X axis, nα), or
the quadrants into which the Bxa is
the slow ray (Z axis, nγ)
being rotated.

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Which Grains are Suitable to
Produce Interference Figures
• As with uniaxial minerals, optic axis figures
are easiest to identify because of their low
interference colours due to the optic axis
being vertical
• If birefringence for the mineral is low, grains
with OA vertical will remain extinct with
rotation of the stage
• Optic axis figures are used for most routine
work because these orientations produce
interference figures where the optic sign and
2V can be determined

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Which Grains are Suitable to

Produce Interference Figures
• Optic Normal Figures (flash figures) have the
Y indicatrix axis vertical and X and Z axes
horizontal
• Birefringence in this orientation is at a
maximum (nγ – nα), and this orientation
displays the highest interference colour for
that mineral
• Not useful for determining 2V or sign.

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

Which Grains are Suitable to

Produce Interference Figures
• The identification of grains which will produce a Bxa figure is a
matter of trial and error. Many grains and their interference
figures must be examined before one with a nearly vertical Bxa
is obtained
• The interference colour for this section will be in the lower range
of that displayed for the mineral in the sample
– Reason: birefringence for this orientation must be less than
(nγ - nα) /2
• Time consuming to search for suitable grain to give Bxa figure,
but it is essential because these figures give a better estimate of
2V than optic axis figures

• Bxo figures in mineral grains is again trial and error procedure.

Birefringence is higher than Bxa figure but less than optic
normal section, so interference colour will be upper portion for
that mineral

ERSC 2P22 – Brock University Greg Finn

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 Type of Figure Orientation Interference Orientation of Accessory effect for a positive mineral Vibration direction
Colour figure for sign Gypsum Quartz observed
determination Plate Wedge +ve -ve

BIAXIAL MINERALS
These differ from uniaxial minerals in that the isogyre cross observed at extinction breaks into two hyperbolae as the stage is rotated. If only a
single isogyre is visible it will be curved and will not remain parallel to the croshairs as the stage is rotated. This does not apply to the flash figure.
Acute Bisectrix
Well defined cross at
extinction which breaks Acute bisectrix, γ if Moderate colours, but α γ

B
into two hyperbolae positive sign, α if closer to lowest colour

lu
Ye

e
centred on melatopes negative sign, is for that mineral

llo
vertical

w
as the stage is rotated.

Ye lue
Isogyres remain in the

llo
Trace of optic β β

w
field of view if 2V<50°, if it is higher they will leave
the field after a rotation of 35° or more. axial plane
All figures in 45°
position
Obtuse Bisectrix
Diffuse black cross at Obtuse bisectrix, α if Moderate colours, but
extinction breaks into positive sign, γ if closer to highest colour γ α
negative sign, is for that mineral

l
hyperbolae that

ia
Decrease Increase

ax
disappear from field vertical

tic
op
after stage is rotated by Increase Decrease

f
ne e o
10 to 35°. Figure indistinguishable except by apparent sign pla rac
from acute bisectrix figure if 2V~90°, and from uniaxial flash β β
T

figure if 2V~0.

Trace of optic axial

plane
Optic Axis
A single isogyre, Optic axis is vertical Lowest interference
straight and parallel to colour for that grain Only the β vibration
the NS or EW crosshair Blue
direction
at extinction. It curves during rotation of the
stage and 2V may be estimated from the Yellow
curvature in the 45° position.
To acute bisectrix

Flash Figure
Large diffuse black β vibration direction, Maximum colour for
which corresponds to that grain Quadrants occupied by α
cross at extinction the acute bisectrix have γ
the optic normal, is
H

which breaks into

ig

vertical lower colours

he

hyperbolae that leave

r

the field after 5 to 10° rotation into the Not definitive for sign determination, but
co

quadrants occupied by the acute bisectrix. interference figure and accessory plate may
lo

be used to determine whether the acute γ

ur

α
s

bisectrix if α or γ.

Acute bisectrix
General section Optic axis or acute
A single isogyre which Low colours
bisectrix inclined at α' γ'
crosses the centre of the small or moderate axis
O
c
ne ti

ra

field at extinction. As
la op

to vertical
ng
Blu

the stage rotates the

l p of

e
ia e

isogyre will curve. It narrows in the direction of the melatope

e-g
ax rac

and in the 45° position is convex towards the acute bisectrix. α'
r ee
T

γ'
n

Colours fall GCF '98

ERSC 2P22
(File–=Brock University
Interference Greg Finn
Figure Interpretation.dsf)

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