Birefringence  03/02/16

 

One of the most perplexing phenomena in the field of optics is that of birefringence. Birefringence is an optical property that depends on the polarization and direction of light. As a result of a peculiar chemical lattice structures, when light strikes birefringent materials, the light splits into two angle of incidences, causing two beams of light to shine. This effect can be induced in a number of ways, one of which is mechanical stress being applied. This effect was stdied by Sir Isaac Newton when he decided to investigate a material known then as the Iceland Spar.