Thin Section Analysis

Thin section analysis is a technique used by geologists and materials scientists to study rocks or minerals at a microscopic level. A small, precise slice of the sample is cut and then ground down to about 30 micrometers thick—so thin that light can pass through it. This thin section is examined under a microscope, allowing scientists to observe mineral grains, textures, and structures that reveal the sample's composition, history, and formation processes. It’s a key method for understanding the Earth's interior, natural resources, and material properties.