A simply instrument for measuring the linear birefringence changes and the phase retardation in electro-optic crystals

摘要

We propose a new method to measure the birefringence changes in bulk crystals based on the typical Senarmont configuration. The configuration comprises a linear polarizer, a sample, a quarter-wave plate, an analyzer(P.S.C.A). An external modulator is inserted in the experimental Senarmont setup. We present a complete analysis of the optical response of a Senarmont setup within Jones formulation. Compared to the conventional configurations. The new method is able to measure with a high accuracy the variations of the birefringence in any crystal.