Quartz Alpha/Beta Displacive Transformation


The movie clip to the left shows a fragment of alpha quartz displacively transforming to beta quartz as it is heated to the temperature of 573.1 deg. C. The displacive transformation is marked by a sweeping change in interference color.  In cross-polarized light, the fragment of alpha quartz appears purplish, but rapidly changes to pinkish-orange as the "front" of beta quartz sweeps from right to left.   Note the opposite occurs upon cooling through 573.1 deg.C.  The change in interference color is subtle, but notable.






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Page Created: Sept, 1998; Last modified: Aug, 2007