Polarization Methods

This lecture covers the generation of linear polarization using polarizers, methods such as reflection and birefringence, the efficiency of polarization through diffusion, and the use of Brewster mirrors for lasers. It also discusses birefringence in anisotropic materials, dichroism, and the production of polaroid sheets. The main refractive indices, birefringence in crystalline materials, and the classification of birefringence into uniaxial positive, uniaxial negative, and biaxial crystals are explained. Real examples of birrefringent materials like sodium chloride, ice, quartz, and tourmaline are provided, along with the classification of crystals based on their symmetries.

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In crystallography, crystal structure is a description of the ordered arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystalline material. Ordered structures occur from the intrinsic nature of the constituent particles to form symmetric patterns that repeat along the principal directions of three-dimensional space in matter. The smallest group of particles in the material that constitutes this repeating pattern is the unit cell of the structure.

Elliptical polarization

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Composite material

A composite material (also called a composition material or shortened to composite, which is the common name) is a material which is produced from two or more constituent materials. These constituent materials have notably dissimilar chemical or physical properties and are merged to create a material with properties unlike the individual elements. Within the finished structure, the individual elements remain separate and distinct, distinguishing composites from mixtures and solid solutions.

Anisotropy

Anisotropy (ˌaenaɪˈsɒtrəpi,_ˌænɪ-) is the structural property of non-uniformity in different directions, as opposed to isotropy. An anisotropic object or pattern has properties that differ according to direction of measurement. For example many materials exhibit very different properties when measured along different axes: physical or mechanical properties (absorbance, refractive index, conductivity, tensile strength, etc.). An example of anisotropy is light coming through a polarizer.

Laser

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