Birefringent

Definition

Birefringent materials have different refractive indices for light polarized in different directions. This causes the splitting of a light wave into two separate waves when it passes through such materials.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Birefringence occurs in anisotropic materials, where properties vary with direction.
2. The two resulting rays from birefringence are called the ordinary ray (o-ray) and the extraordinary ray (e-ray).
3. Birefringent materials can be used to analyze stress patterns in transparent plastics.
4. Common examples of birefringent materials include calcite and quartz.
5. In optics, birefringence is measured by the difference between the refractive indices of the o-ray and e-ray.

Review Questions

• What is the primary cause of birefringence in a material?
• Name two common examples of birefringent materials.
• How does birefringence affect polarized light passing through an anisotropic material?

Related terms

Polarization: The orientation of oscillations in a transverse wave, especially in electromagnetic waves like light.

Refractive Index: A measure of how much the speed of light is reduced inside a medium compared to vacuum.

Anisotropy: The property of being directionally dependent, as opposed to isotropy, which implies identical properties in all directions.