Ceramics-Silikáty 18, (2) 105 - 123 (1974)

Potentionalities are discussed of using the optical microscope combined with a microphotometer and a hot stage for recording automatically the course of temperature changes in minerals and non-homogenous materials; in a temperature range of up to 1 500 °C. The structural and volume changes and reactions are recorded as changes in the intensity of light transmitted through, or partly screened by the preparation. The method of determining temperature-dependent birefringence changes and transmissivity changes is described, as well as the dilatometric method, and examples shown of the use of these methods in various fields of research. Their comprehensive application renders possible a partial quantitative description of phenomena observed visually in the hot stage, extending thus the possibilities of the established thermic methods.