$index of refraction intensity of light equation$

This effect was first described by Danish scientist Rasmus Bartholin in 1669, who observed it in calcite crystals which have one of the strongest birefringences. Crystals with non-cubic crystal structures are often birefringent, as are plastics under mechanical stress.īirefringence is responsible for the phenomenon of double refraction whereby a ray of light, when incident upon a birefringent material, is split by polarization into two rays taking slightly different paths. The birefringence is often quantified as the maximum difference between refractive indices exhibited by the material.

$index of refraction intensity of light equation$

These optically anisotropic materials are said to be birefringent (or birefractive).

$index of refraction intensity of light equation$

Incoming light in the s polarization (which means perpendicular to plane of incidence – and so in this example becomes 'parallel polarisation' to optic axis, thus is called extraordinary ray) sees a greater refractive index than light in the p polarization (which becomes ordinary ray because 'perpendicular polarisation' to optic axis) and so s polarization ray is undergoing greater refraction on entering and exiting the crystal.īirefringence is the optical property of a material having a refractive index that depends on the polarization and propagation direction of light. Property of materials whose refractive index depends on light polarization and direction A calcite crystal laid upon a graph paper with blue lines showing the double refraction In this example, optic axis along the surface is shown perpendicular to plane of incidence.

$index of refraction intensity of light equation$

Index of refraction intensity of light equation