Electron Microscope Studies of the Structure of Opal
- 15 March 1967
- journal article
- research article
- Published by AIP Publishing in Journal of Applied Physics
- Vol. 38 (4) , 1872-1873
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1709775
Abstract
Replication electron microscopy has confirmed that the microstructure of precious opal consists of spherical particles of amorphous silica, SiO2, packed in a cubic close‐packed array. Twinning relationships have been observed obeying the spinel twin law. Regions related by twinning correspond to the bands or striations observed under the light microscope. A specimen of common opal displayed a unique topography upon etching.This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Colour of Precious OpalNature, 1964