Author Description

The microscope is a familiar tool in the biological and medical sciences, and its application to the study of plant and animal tissues is well known. That it can be applied to the study of rocks, minerals, and ceramics may come as a surprise to many people, including experienced microscopists.The principle requirement is that a section or slice, thin enough to be transparent to transmitted light, can be prepared. This is a practical guide to the preparation of thin sections. All that is needed are some simple equipment, a modicum of manual dexterity, and a measure of patience. Aboveall, thin sections can be made without expensive machinery, although a brief account of mechanical aids is included here. Methods of making polished sections for reflected light microscopy, staining sections, making peels, and extracting heavy mineral suites from sands are covered in later chapters. The book will appreciated as a handy laboratory guide by geologists, earth scientists, materials scientists, ceramicists, and microscopists.