Definition of double refraction

ON DEMAND: Learn how to enhance uptime and quality control with next-gen vision sensors at Photonics Media's Summit!

Suppliers Products Categories Handbook Dictionary Careers
Resources Photonics Spectra BioPhotonics Vision Spectra Virtual Events & Summits Educational Institutions Add/Update Your Listing Exhibitor Listing Portal Become an Exhibitor Buyers' Guide Print Edition Marketplace Help
Subscribe Advertise

Suppliers Products Categories Handbook Dictionary Careers

Resources

Photonics Spectra BioPhotonics Vision Spectra Virtual Events & Summits Educational Institutions Add/Update Your Listing Exhibitor Listing Portal Become an Exhibitor Buyers' Guide Print Edition Marketplace Help

Meadowlark Optics - Wave Plates 6/24 LB 2024

Photonics Dictionary

double refraction

The separation of unpolarized light into two plane-polarized elements by a doubly refracting crystal. When a crystal, such as calcite, is placed between the eye and a pinhole in a card, two bright dots may be seen. If the crystal is then rotated around the line of sight, one dot moves in a circle around the other, which remains stationary. This shows that there must be two refracted rays that reveal a difference in refractive index; they form an angle of about 6º 9' when the light is normally incident on the natural crystal face. The stationary, or "ordinary" ray, reacts to a greater index than does the other, the "extraordinary" ray. Huygens explained these phenomena with respect to the fact that the ordinary wave has a spherical wavefront, moving with the same speed in all directions, whereas the extraordinary wave has either a maximum or minimum speed along the optic axis.

Popular Articles

Explore Our Content
News
Features
Latest Products
Webinars
White Papers
All Things Photonics Podcast
Photonics Spectra Now
Videos
Our Summits & Conferences
Industry Events
Bookstore

Join Our Community
Subscribe
Advertise
Become a member
Sign in
Contribute a Feature
Suggest a Webinar
Submit a Press Release
Mobile Apps

About Us
Our Company
Our Publications
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Teddi C. Laurin Scholarship

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

Requesting information about:

* First Name:

* Last Name:

* Email Address:

* Company:

* Country:

Message:

When you click "Send Request", we will record and send your personal contact information to the supplier by email so they may respond directly. You also agree that Photonics Media may contact you with information related to this inquiry, and that you have read and accept our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use.

* Required

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.