Basalt

Practical significance

Basalt is an extrusive igneous commonly found in volcanic environment on Earth and probably on different Solar System bodies such as Mars, where it can constitute an important fraction of atmospheric and surface dust.

Main constituent
Pyroxene (augite), plagioclase and olivine.
Particle size Mie: reff (μm)
6.9
Particle size Mie: veff
7.0
Particle size Fraunhofer: reff (μm)
2.9
Particle size Fraunhofer: veff
15.1
Size distribution plot:
Size distribution of Basalt sample
Size distribution table
Color
Dark grey
SEM/TEM images:
Basalt SEM Image 1
Basalt SEM Image 2
All SEM/TEM images (zip file)
Scattering matrix (1) wavelength in nm
488.00 nm
Scattering matrix (1) table
Scattering matrix (1) plot:
Scattering matrix elements Basalt - 488 nm
Scattering matrix (2) wavelength in nm
647.00 nm
Scattering matrix (2) table
Scattering matrix (2) plot:
Scattering matrix elements Basalt - 647 nm
Synthetic scattering matrix (1) wavelength in nm
488.00nm
Synthetic scattering matrix (1) table M
Synthetic scattering matrix (1) table F
Synthetic scattering matrix (2) wavelength in nm
647.00nm
Synthetic scattering matrix (2) table M
Synthetic scattering matrix (2) table F
Refractive index

1.52 + i0.00092 (488nm)  
1.52 + i0.001 (647nm) (Pollack et al. 1973)

Angle range (deg)
[3,177]