6.3 Birefringent Optical Device
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c. Birefringence Prism
The Wollaston prism effectively separates e-wave and o-wave.
A
B
1.
Light not along optical axis but E parallel to optical axis. E is fast and E
2
1
2
is slow (E and E see different n). E and E separates. E in A is o-wave
1
2
1
2
1
with n , E in A is e-wave with n .
o
2
e
2.
Field E in B is e-wave with n , E in B is o-wave with n . (From the
1
e
2
o
interface E has n n and E has n n .)
1
o
e
2
e
o

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