Extinction Angle (Noun)
Meaning
The angle from its axis that a crystal must be rotated before appearing maximally dark when viewed in polarized light.
Classification
Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes.
Examples
- The extinction angle of the quartz crystal was measured and found to be 30 degrees in convergent polarized light.
- By rotating the crystal to its extinction angle, the optical axis can be precisely located for further analysis.
- Under crossed polarized light, the crystal exhibited a sharp extinction angle that was crucial for identifying its optical properties.
- In order to observe the maximum intensity of the isogyres, the crystal must be first oriented to its extinction angle and then rotated to the desired position.
- Determination of extinction angle is essential for understanding the unique optical characteristics of each crystal type.