A new method for quantitative analysis of rock texture using a laser scanning microscope (LSM) is proposed. We developed a polarized LSM to identify constituent minerals and analyze their optical ...properties. High resolution digital images of rock textures are obtained by our LSM system. Confocal images of rock specimens under reflected laser beams a used clearly to visualize grain boundaries, and further analyze the texture by the aid of digital image processing techniques. Polarized images of rock textures under blue (B), green (G), and red (R) laser beams can be superimposed to construct color (RGB) microscopic images. Optical properties of minerals such as reflectance and retardation are accurately measured by the LSM system. Spectroscopic imaging of rock texture is used to visualize spatial distribution of constituent minerals.
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