Transmission matrix of a uniaxial optically active crystal platelet

Abstract

Expressions corresponding to the transmission of a uniaxial optically active crystal platelet are provided for an optical axis parallel and perpendicular to the plane of interface. The optical activity is taken into account by a consistent multipolar expansion of the crystal medium response due to the path of an electromagnetic wave. Numerical examples of the effect of the optical activity are given for quartz platelets of chosen thicknesses. The optical activity's effects on the variations of the transmission of quartz platelets as a function of the angle of incidence is also investigated.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures. Accepted to Optics Communications Journa