PE-0100 Double Refraction of Light - Setup with a Pockels Cell

Erasmus Bartholin was the first one who reported his observation on double refraction in 1669. He investigated a crystal of calcite: not the only crystal which shows double refraction, but a crystal with an extraordinary high markedness of this phenomenon. His discovery and its first scientific explanation by Christian Huygens in 1674 marked the beginning of the studies on optical crystal properties.
More than 100 years later crystal optics got new impulses through Dominique Arago, who studied the polarization and optical activity, and Jean-Baptiste Biot who defined the first principles of crystal optics, by differentiating in particular uni-axial and bi-axial crystals - principles which are still valid today. Birefringent materials are important components in optics, for example as half- and quarter-wave plates or as Lyot filters to tune laser lines. Double refraction or birefringence can also be induced in crystal like polymers by external electrical fields or stress. The experiments may start with the observation of birefringence shown by calcite crystal. The green probe laser is directed to the calcite and the splitting of the laser beam in ordinary and extraordinary rays are observed. The polarization of these rays is measured by using the rotary polarization analyser. As an example of a biaxial crystal a Pockels cell containing a Lithium Niobate crystal is used and in a conoscopic set-up impressive interference pattern are created when the high voltage is applied. Furthermore the optical retardation for different voltage levels is measured and the so called halve wave voltage determined.