Birefringence and Polarization

This lecture covers the concept of birefringence in optics, where materials have two different indices of refraction depending on the polarization direction. It explains how birefringent materials like calcite can polarize light by separating polarizations in two different directions. The lecture also discusses Nicol's prism, Wollaston prism, and Glan-Foucault prism as elements that exploit birefringence to polarize light. Additionally, it delves into the use of wave plates and retarders to manipulate polarization states, including the Jones matrices representation. The lecture concludes with a detailed explanation of phase shifts and retarders in optics, showcasing how different materials can alter the polarization of light.