Anisotropy and Birefringence

Anisotropy: A difference in a physical property (absorbance, refractive index, density, etc) for a given material when measured along different
axes. (As opposed to Isotropy, or homogeneity in all directions).
Birefringence: Property of some crystalline materials (e.g., calcite) where the anisotropy is exhibited as a change of refractive index between
light rays vibrating in different planes. Another name for this is "Double Refraction". A subset of birefringence, when the anisotropy is
wavelength dependent (a measure of dispersion), is called Dichroism. Literally "Two Colors", a dichroic material emits a plane polarized beam
of light of a specific wavelength when impinged upon by a beam of white light. An example is the mineral Tourmaline that absorbs all
wavelengths but green. See this page for a description.
Birefringence number: The numerical difference between the two refractive indices of a birefringent substance. For example Calcite has a
Refractive index(o-ray) =1.658 and RI (e-ray) =1.486, so the birefringence number =0.172. Birefringence numbers are diagnostic tools for
identifying unknown substances.
A: When a beam of non-polarized light passes into a crystal of
calcite the vibrational plane determines its velocity. Since
refraction is a function of velocity, a beam of light will be
decomposed into two beams that refract at different angles. One
plane of vibration will realize a higher refractive index and
refract according to Snell's law. This is called the
"Ordinary-Ray". Another beam, vibrating at right angles to the
O-Ray, will realize an lower refractive index and bend at a lower
angle. This beamis called the "Extraordinary-Ray", or E-Ray.
Thus, two spatially separated rays will exit the birefringent
object. The rays will be Plane Polarized, and will be vibrating
orthogonal to each other. In addition, the slow ray will lag in
phase relative to the fast ray. When they emerge from the
birefringent crystal, they may interact via wave interference
which results in the production of Interference Colors
(depending on the optical path of the material). The colors
directly relate to the wave Retardation. The Michel-Lvy Color
Chart relates color, retardation, and birefringence.
Below are refractive indices of the O- and E-rays of common
birefringent materials. Note that some are "+ve" and some "-ve"
in their delta n ("Birefringence number). (Chart From
Wikipedia).
B: Creating a beam of plane polarized light. The Nicol Prism.
The first device used to produce a beam of polarized light was
invented by William Nicol (17701851). It consists of a piece of
calcite, rhombohedral in shape, and cut at 68 (a, above). The
crystal is then bisected, one half inverted and glued back onto the
first half. Canada Balsam (n=1.555) was used originally to glue the
two halves together.
When non-polarized light impinges on the crystal, the resulting
slow, or O-Ray bends at an angle that results in total reflection at
the interface between the two halves. The faster, less refracted
E-ray passes through the interface and exits the opposite end of the
crystal as a beam of plane polarized light. Nicol prisms were
common at the later half or the 19th Century.
Modern polarizers are made of iodine crystals embedded in a
plastic (PVA) sheet ("H-Sheet"). When the sheet is stretched, the
crystals align. This Polaroid Filter produces plane polarized light
in a manner similar to the Nicol prism. Light that vibrates
perpendicular to the crystal orientation pass through the sheet.
Light that vibrates parallel to the crystals interacts with the atomic
structure of the crystals and is absorbed.
Birefringence http://microscopy.berkeley.edu/courses/tlm/plm/birefr.html
1 of 2 10/12/2014 7:50 PM
this polarized light microscope from
1880.
Birefringence http://microscopy.berkeley.edu/courses/tlm/plm/birefr.html
2 of 2 10/12/2014 7:50 PM