Use of 3d printed ellipsoids to teach crystal optics

What is it about?

Ellipsoids are very helpful to understand the optical properties of crystals and to undertand some of the properties that can be observed using a petrographic microscope (such as interference figures and optical signs). 3D printed ellipsoids sectioned in relevant directions are introduced as a teaching/learning tool.

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Why is it important?

Crystal optics is generally perceived by students as a difficult subject, this paper could be used both for students and lecturers to find ways to undertand/teach this subject in a different way.

Perspectives

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My view is that there is a lot of potential to introduce the possibilities of 3D printing for teaching purposes in a large variety of fields, specifically in Crystallography we can now print molecules, unit cells, crystals and its properties and analyse their symmetry touching a solid object. This paper is just an example but many more applications could be envisaged.

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