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Optical Properties of Amphibole Asbestos

Published

Author(s)

Jennifer R. Verkouteren, A G. Wylie

Abstract

The fibrillar growth habit and 100} twinning may produce anomalous optical properties in fibrous amphiboles. The optical properties of 16 fibrous tremolite, actinolite, and ferro-actinolite samples from Verkouteren and Wylie (2000) are described. One sample displays uniaxial-like properties, 9 display partial development of uniaxial-like properties, two contain fibers with both orthorhombic and monoclinic optical properties, and 4 contain fibers that do not go to extinction on (010) under crossed polars. A range in chemical composition may also contribute to variable optical properties. Anomalous optical properties may confound the identification of fibrous amphiboles.
Citation
American Mineralogist

Keywords

actinolite, microscopy, optical properties, refractive index, tremolite

Citation

Verkouteren, J. and Wylie, A. (2008), Optical Properties of Amphibole Asbestos, American Mineralogist (Accessed October 31, 2024)

Issues

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Created October 16, 2008