Acoustopolariscopy of Minerals and Rocks: Theory, Devices, Method and Results

Elastic anisotropy is one of the most interestingforms of matter organization that has not receivedsufficient study yet. The elaboration of a simplemethod for the study of elastic anisotropy of solidmedia and in particular minerals and rocks is inlarge demand. In this book the fundamentals andpractice of a new method acoustopolariscopy aregiven. The transducers for radiating and receivinglongitudinal and shear waves, their developing andtesting are depicted. Acoustopolariscopes of threemodifications are described. The theory, elaborateddevices and methods are necessary and sufficient todetermine a full set of a solid anisotropic body?selasticity constants. Main attention is placed uponpractical measurements of anisotropic mediaproperties. The concluding sections are dedicated tothe experimental study of elastic anisotropy of rockforming minerals and rocks from the Kola superdeep(12261 m depth) and Ural (6010 m depth) boreholes. The book can be useful for specialists investigatingand testing anisotropic solid media, such as rocks, crystals, concrete, ceramics, plastic, metals, composite materials etc.