Uniaxial and biaxial optical indicatrices
The optical indicatrix represents directional refractive behaviour in an ideal transparent anisotropic crystal.
Key knowledge
The optical indicatrix represents directional refractive behaviour in an ideal transparent anisotropic crystal. A uniaxial model has one optic-axis direction and principal ordinary and extraordinary indices n_o and n_e; n_e>n_o defines positive optical sign and n_e<n_o negative sign. A genuinely biaxial model has n_α<n_β<n_γ and two optic-axis directions at which the two propagation modes have equal indices.
Conditions and scope
- Indices and optical sign refer to a specified wavelength and material state. The principal extraordinary index is not its effective value for every section.
- Special sections can suppress birefringence; strain, absorption and anomalous optical behaviour require broader treatment. Crystallographic symmetry classifications do not alone determine a unique chemical mineral.
Sources · 2
References
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Evidence and review
Read actual introductory indicatrix/index/optic-axis and sign definitions in both sources. Did not inspect all later interference-figure procedures or claim a full conoscopic identification manual; excluded universal symmetry-axis alignment without exceptional optical degeneracy qualifications.
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Entry details
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