Feature: Calcite - Double Refraction

Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.
Conceptual science photographs by Paul Silverman featuring optics, calcite, double refraction.

$DOUBLE REFRACTION OF CALCITE Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

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$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) (Variations Available) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

Fphoto-65891012A-6PS.jpg
$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) (Variations Available) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

Fphoto-65901012A-6PS.jpg
$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) (Variations Available) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

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$CALCITE- DOUBLE REFRACTION Iceland Spar Variety, Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

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$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Iceland spar variety Also known as Optical Calcite, it displays Calcite's classic cleavage form - the rhombohedron, and is the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal and due to calcite's unique optical properties, the ray is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams. A person viewing into the crystal will see two images.$

Fphoto-19499007-1PS.jpg
$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) (Variations Available) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

Fphoto-65901012E-6PS.jpg
$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) (Variations Available) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

Fphoto-65891012D-6PS.jpg
$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

Fphoto-65901012M-6PS.jpg
$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) (Variations Available) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

Fphoto-65891012F-6PS.jpg
$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) (Variations Available) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

Fphoto-65901012C-6PS.jpg
$CALCITE - DOUBLE REFRACTION Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) (Variations Available) Double refraction occurs when a ray of light enters the crystal it is split into fast and slow beams. As these two beams exit the crystal they are bent into two different angles because the angle is affected by the speed of the beams.$

Fphoto-65891012G-6PS.jpg