Optical Activity: Polarization Rotation & Chirality

This lecture covers the optical phenomena of circular birefringence, optical activity, and polarization rotation in materials like quartz and liquids. It explains the rotation of polarization by liquids, the difference between natural and synthetic chiral molecules, and the use of polarimeters to measure specific rotation coefficients. Additionally, it discusses the behavior of liquid crystals, Faraday and Kerr effects, Pockels effect in crystals, and the application of optical isolators. The lecture also explores the principle of separating light using chiral liquid interfaces and the application of polarization in CD/DVD play heads.