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Definition of thin section

i. A fragment of rock or mineral mechanically ground to a thickness of approx. 0.03 mm, and mounted between glasses as a microscope slide. Rocks and most minerals except the oxides and sulfides of the metals are translucent to transparent in thin section, and the optical properties of each mineral can be studied with the microscope.

See Also: polished section

ii. A rock or mineral slice cut for study by transmitted light with a polarized-light microscope. It may also be polished for study with a reflected-light microscope.

iii. A coal seam less than its normal thickness.

Ref: Nelson


 
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