Three‐dimensional‐printing aids in visualizing the optical properties of crystals

• Published in: Journal of applied crystallography 2018-06, Vol.51 (3), p.901-908
• Main Author: Casas, Lluís
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: birefringence; Crystal optics; Crystallography; Crystals; Education; Graduate studies; hands‐on learning; Mineralogy; Molecular chains; optical mineralogy; Optical properties; Optics; Organic chemistry; Printing; three‐dimensional printing
• ISSN: 1600-5767; 0021-8898; 1600-5767
• DOI: 10.1107/S1600576718003709

Crystal optics is an essential topic in mineralogy and is also relevant at postgraduate level in solid‐state chemistry and physics. The emergence of low‐cost three‐dimensional‐printing technologies makes possible the creation of tangible objects for multiple educational purposes. Within the field of crystallography and chemistry, some examples of applications of such educational objects have been recently published. These were intended for teaching and learning of crystal and molecular symmetry concepts. In this paper, three‐dimensional‐printing applications have been extended to crystal optics. A number of tangible models of optical indicatrices have been designed and printed. These models were conceived as dissection puzzles and allow students to actively work on assembling them and analyzing their geometrical features and relevant sections. The STL files of the presented models are made available with this paper. Three‐dimensional‐printed models of optical indicatrices are presented as learning and teaching support materials. The models were designed as dissection puzzles that can be disassembled to analyze relevant sections and a number of crystal optics concepts such as optical axes, vibration directions, wave normals, ray paths and their geometrical relationships. The STL files of the presented models are made available with this paper.