Polarized Light in Liquid Crystals and Polymers [Hardcover]

Polarized Light in Liquid Crystals and Polymers deals with the linear optics of birefringent materials, such as liquid crystals and polymers, and surveys light propagation in such media with special attention to applications. It is unique in treating light propagation in micro- and nanostructured birefringent optical elements, such as lenses and gratings composed of birefringent materials, as well as the spatial varying anisotropic structures often found in miniaturized liquid crystal devices.Preface.

1 Polarized Light.

1.1 Introduction.

1.2 Concept of Light Polarization.

1.3 Description of The State of Polarization.

1.4 The Stokes Concept.

1.5 The Jones Concept.

1.6 Coherence and Polarized Light.

References.

2 Electromagnetic Waves in Anisotropic Materials.

2.1 Introduction.

2.2 Analytical Background.

2.3 Time Harmonic Fields and Plane Waves.

2.4 Maxwell’s Equations in Matrix Representation.

2.5 Separation of Polarizations for Inhomogeneous Problems.

2.6 Separation of Polarizations for Anisotropic Problems.

2.7 Dielectric Tensor and Index Ellipsoid.

References.

3 Description of Light Propagation with Rays.

3.1 Introduction.

3.2 Light Rays and Wave Optics.

3.3 Light Propagation Through Interfaces (Fresnel Formula) .

3.4 Propagation Direction of Rays in Crystals.

3.5 Propagation Along A Principal Axis.

3.6 Rays at Isotropic–Anisotropic Interfaces.

3.7 Gaussian Beams.

References.lÃ-