Double refraction

Double refraction:
The phenomenon of production of two
refracted rays by certain crystal of calcite
or quartz is known as double refraction.
O – ray = ordinary ray
E – ray = extra ordinary
Optic axis:
A line drawn through A making equal
angles with each of the three edges gives
the direction of the optic axis. In fact any
line parallel to this line is also an optic axis.
A,H = Blunt corner of rhombohedra
in which all the angles of the faces
are obtuse
Double refraction . . .

•   the fig
From
i = angle of incidence
r = angle of refraction
µo = refractive index of o – ray
µe = refractive index of e – ray
Then
µo = and
µe =
Such that
µo > µ e
Velocity of o – ray be less than e –
ray in the crystal
 Double refraction . . .

Cases:
a) The vibration of e – ray and o – ray are always perpendicular to
each other.
b) When a ray of light incident on calcite parallel to its optic axis, it is
not splitted up into o – ray and e – ray. In this case,
o – ray and e – ray moves along same direction with same velocity
c) When a ray of light incident perpendicular to optic axis on calcite
crystal, it is not split up into o – ray and e – ray. In this case, o – ray
and e – ray moves along same direction but with different velocities.
Double refraction . . .

Cases:
a) The vibration of e – ray and o – ray are
always perpendicular to each other.
b) When a ray of light incident on calcite
parallel to its optic axis, it is not split up
into o – ray and e – ray. In this case,
o – ray and e – ray moves along same
direction with same velocity
c) When a ray of light incident
perpendicular to optic axis on calcite
crystal, it is not split up into o – ray and e –
ray. In this case, o – ray and e – ray moves
along same direction but with different
velocities.