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Origin of iridescence in garnet: An optical interference study

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Abstract

The optical interference phenomenon of an iridescent grandite garnet was examined by using white light and laser light on the analogy of the X-ray diffraction method. A kinematical interpretation was also made for the observed angle and intensity of interference light. The regularly stratified layers which cause iridescence are deduced to be periodic twins oriented parallel to the growth layers in each sector with a periodicity of about 1,000 Å.

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Hirai, H., Nakazawa, H. Origin of iridescence in garnet: An optical interference study. Phys Chem Minerals 8, 25–28 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00311159

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00311159

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