Refractometry of birefringent materials at Brewster angle

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new refractometry method for birefringent materials using Brewster angle measurements, involving angular scanning of reflected p-polarized light to determine orthogonal Brewster angles.

Contribution

It presents a novel technique for birefringent material refractometry based on angular scanning of reflected power at Brewster angles for different optical axis orientations.

Findings

Identifies two specific Brewster angles for orthogonal optical axis orientations.

Analyzes the effect of residual power at Brewster angle on measurements.

Proposes a method that avoids birefringence effects during testing.

Abstract

A refractometry taking measuring of Brewster angles for birefringent materials is proposed. The technique is based on the angular scanning of the reflected power of p-polarized light and the determination of the two specific minimums at the Brewster angles for the two orthogonal orientations of the optical axis of the material. In these configurations, the testing light does not experience the birefringent in the material, assuming the state of ordinary or extraordinary rays alternately to orientation of the optical axis. The origin and influence on the measurement of the nonzero residual power at Brewster angle are accentuated.