Abstract

The theory of mode coupling suggested by Henry [ Phys. Rev. 143, 627 ( 1966)] is generalized here to crystals exhibiting linear dichroism and optical activity observable only at the cancellation of birefringence. Equations that are valid for the entire visible spectrum are derived for the amplitudes of the components of the electric field characterizing a light wave propagating through such a crystal. The example of a crystal of the $\overline{4}$ symmetry class is used to show that the strongest manifestation of optical activity on the absorbing properties of the sample occurs at the point of inversion of the sign of the birefringence. Because of the linear dichroism, the rotation suffered by a linear light vibration propagating through the sample depends on the angle of this vibration with the optic axis. Moreover, the shape of the radiation transmitted by the crystal in the filter configuration is characterized.

© 1992 Optical Society of America

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