General Notions of Optical Activity and Birefringence

This lecture covers general notions of optical activity, birefringence, and their applications. It explains the experience with calcite, the behavior of birefringent crystals, and the indices of refraction for various materials. The lecture also delves into optically isotropic materials, dielectric tensors, and the polarization of light. It discusses the effects of constraints on birefringence, linear and circular polarization, and optical activity demonstrations. Furthermore, it explores the functioning of liquid crystal displays, the impact of electric fields on liquid crystals, and the concept of chirality in materials.