Experiment work: Study of the birefringence of quartz

Composition 205021 is a complete solution that includes all the previous elements with a prism bench and the appropriate sliders for the successful completion of experiments.

Topics covered:
- Study of a uniaxial birefringent medium
- Observation of a channelled spectrum

Principles and objectives:
The quartz crystal has two perpendicular preferred axes with different refractive indices. The waves passing through it are decomposed on these two axes and travel at different speeds. They end up being out of phase when they exit the crystal.
With a polarized polychromatic source, a channelled spectrum is then created at the crystal's ouExperimentut and then analyzed using a second polarizer. Depending on the crystal's thickness, the phase shift will be more or less significant, and the observed channels more or less distant. Thus, by knowing the initial thickness and measuring the wavelength of the channels, it is possible to determine the crystal's birefringence.

Composition:
 ▪ 1 prism bench of 1 m with adjustable feet set (ref.202519)
 ▪ 7 standard prism riders (ref.202234)
 ▪ 1 prism rider with micrometric transversal displacement (ref.203470)
 ▪ 1 55 W halogen source (ref.202555)
 ▪ 2 polarizers in graduated mount (ref.202374)
 ▪ 2 adjustable slits with symmetrical opening (ref.202423)
 ▪ 1 quartz plate in mount (ref.204697)
 ▪ 1 transmission grating 300 lines/mm (ref.202342)
 ▪ 1 fixed plate on rod (ref.202670) and 1 network holder over-plate (ref.202470)
 ▪ 1 axis shift on rod (ref.202458)
 ▪ 1 lens Ø40 mm f+100 mm (ref.202274) and its mount (ref.202439)
 ▪ 1 white and gridded metal screen 20x20 cm (ref.202368)
 ▪ 1 set of experiment instructions