ABSTRACT
Interference Signals ......................................................... 123 6.3 Broadband Optical Polarization ............................................................... 124
6.3.1 Basic Principles ............................................................................... 124 6.3.2 Polarization Effects in Materials .................................................. 125
6.3.2.1 Birefringent Materials ..................................................... 125 6.3.2.2 Optically Active Materials ............................................. 126 6.3.2.3 Magneto-Optic Materials ............................................... 126
6.3.3 Polychromatic Birefringence ......................................................... 128 6.3.3.1 Basic Theory ..................................................................... 128 6.3.3.2 Chromatic Processing ..................................................... 128 6.3.3.3 Chromatic Monitoring of Photoelasticity .................... 129
6.3.4 Polychromatic Rotary Activity ..................................................... 131 6.3.4.1 Rotary Active Liquids ..................................................... 131 6.3.4.2 Chromatically Addressed Thermochromic
Elements ............................................................................ 138 6.3.5 Chromatically Addressed Magneto-Optic Elements ................ 139
6.4 Summary ..................................................................................................... 145 References ............................................................................................................ 145
Two monochromatic light waves can interact with each other to produce interference patterns from which small distances of the order of the optical wavelength can be determined (interferometry). A light wave propagating through some materials can have the geometric plane in which it oscillates modied by the structure of the material (polarimetry). This in turn can be affected by external factors such as temperature, mechanical stress, and magnetic eld. Monitoring the polarized state of the light can therefore be used for tracking changes in such parameters.
