Physical optics in low-symmetry ferroelastics. II. Coherence losses and polarization impairments in transmitted light

摘要

Coherence losses that are due to secondary deflection by domain walls in low-symmetry ferroelastics are calculated by the two-wave interference model introduced in the companion paper. Impairments on the polarization are calculated by means of Jones matrix formalism. Subsequent losses of contrast are estimated in various situations of practical interest. The results show that the tilt angle of the neutral lines, the domain-wall density, and the average deformation of the polydomain crystal have considerable influence on the characteristics of the transmitted beam. The results also stress the necessity to choose the propagation direction close to an axis of quasi-optical continuity of the domain structure to preserve the coherence and the polarization in any optical device that makes use of polydomain crystals. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America. [References: 15]