GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Canada balsam has a refractive index of 1.55 which is similar to that of crown glass with high optical quality. Purified form if it is used in lens elements.

Detailed explanation-2: -Canada balsam may be distinguished from all other balsams by its high refractive index. This is close to 1-52 in commercial “filtered’ balsam, but incidental or deliberate loss of the more volatile constituents causes the viscosity of the residue to rise, accompanied by an increase in refractive index to 1.54-1.55.

Detailed explanation-3: -Canada balsam solidifies to a transparent mass and is an important cement, particularly in microscopy for mounting specimens and for glass in optical work. resin. Table of Contents.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Nicol prism consists of two specially cut calcite prisms bonded together with an adhesive known as Canada balsam. This prism transmits waves vibrating in one direction only and thus produces a plane-polarized beam from ordinary light.