Introduction to Optical Mineralogy - Hardcover

Nesse, William D.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195060245 ISBN 13: 9780195060249

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1991

Synopsis

This is an ideal textbook for both advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It contains valuable coverage of the optical properties of minerals, as well as up-to-date descriptions of common rock-forming minerals. The chapters on optical theory include discussions of the nature and properties of light, the petrographic microscope, and the behavior of light in isotropic materials and in uniaxial and biaxial anisotropic materials. Thoroughly revised to include recent developments in the field, the book includes step-by-step procedures to guide students through the determination of all optical properties by which minerals are routinely identified with a petrographic microscope. Readers will find descriptive information on over 125 common rock forming minerals, and many photomicrographs and illustrations. The book also includes a flow sheet to guide students through the process of identifying an unknown mineral.

About this title

About the Author:

William D. Nesse, Professor of Geology, University of Northern Colorado.

Review:

From reviews of the first edition: "Well written; the text makes the concepts readily understandable. Abundant well-labeled line diagrams, which closely complement the text, are present in all chapters . . . .Step-by-step procedures for the measurement of optical properties of minerals in
thin section as well as grain mounts are outlined in detail . . . . To those teaching an introductory course in optical mineralogy or a petrology course involving thin-section work, I strongly recommend this book." --Geology

"It is clearly an attractive proposition to the undergraduate, who can obtain one textbook for two courses . . . .Nesse's book is profusely illustrated with well-designed and clearly-drawn diagrams, from which a student working on his own could learn a great deal." Times Higher Education
Supplement

"Nesse has combined a generally non-technical style of prose with a profuse use of well conceived illustrations to provide highly readable explanations of most aspects of light transmission through minerals." --Journal of Geological Education

"This book represents an attempt to combine crystallography and optical mineralogy into one handy volume . . . . The author should be complemented for his success in achieving a good balance between two subjects while keeping the volume down to a reasonable and affordable size . . . . This
practical book will serve very well as an introductory-level textbook." --American Mineralogist

"Fills a long-felt need for a brief text on microscopial optics containing adequate descriptions of a reasonable selections of actual minerals." --American Journal of Science

"A first class textbook aimed at a specific audience, and I recommend it for introductory optical mineralogy." --Geological Sciences

"An excellent book with many clear diagrams to aid the text . . . . Certainly teachers will find it a useful tool." --Applied Optics

"This book makes a very welcome addition to the current list of optical mierology texts. The organization of the book follows a clear logical path. The introductory sections are very clear, and excellent use has been made of diagrams and photographs. The pace is about right for most
students and the course is well graded in terms of increasing complexity. Particularly attractive are the 'cut-away' diagrams illustrating extinction in various sections through different minerals in chapters 6 and 7. I find this one of the best available textbooks on introductory optical
minerology - it is easy to read, beautifully illustrated and factually satisfying." --Geological Magazine

"Nesse's book has a central role for the undergraduate curriculum in most geology departments in the United States. [It] is already excellent. It should be considered strongly for adoption as a required text for mineralogic and petrologic optics by al undergraduate geology departments."
--American Minerologist

"This book makes a very welcome addition to the current list of optical mineralogy texts. The organization of the book follows a clear logical path. The introductory sections are very clear, and excellent use has been made of diagrams and photographs. The pace is about right for most
students and the course is well graded in terms of increasing complexity. Particularly attractive are the 'cut-away' diagrams illustrating extinction in various sections through different minerals in chapters 6 and 7. I find this one of the best available textbooks on introductory optical
mineralogy - it is easy to read, beautifully illustrated and factually satisfying." --Geological Magazine

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0195060245
• ISBN 13: 9780195060249
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 352