Thin-section petrography

Description

An analytical method for the characterization of minerals. Thin-sections are prepared as a five to thirty micron thick slice of rock mounted on a glass slide. Polarized light microscopy is used to view the thin-section in transmitted light. Petrographic slides are useful for characterizing grain size, articulation and structure as well as the indicating the variety and relative abundance of minerals in the stone.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Petrographische Mikroskopie (Deut.); microscopie petrographique (Fr.); petrographic slide