Apparent Birefringence

Polarized light can be depolarized by light scatter or by specular reflection at an interface that is not aligned with the orientation of the polarized beam. Birefringence can be induced by stress in materials that are otherwise isotropic. Ordered distributions of regular shaped isotropic particles or fibers with a different refractive indix than an isotropic matrix can induce an apparent birefringence. Click on the photographs below for more information.