Abstract

A simple experimental method has been developed for permitting the visual observation of subtle structural transformations in transparent birefringent solids. The method makes use of an optical compensator with a large path difference in conjunction with standard equipment for polarized light microscopy. This method has been applied successfully in the observation of subtle phase transformations in p-diiodobenzene and in phenanthrene.

© 1975 Optical Society of America

Photometric monitoring of hysteresis in solid–solid phase transformations

L. J. Soltzberg, Susan M. Cannon, Candace A. Clarke, and Yon Won Ho
Appl. Opt. 20(4) 670-673 (1981)

Interferometric study of a solid–solid phase transition

L. J. Soltzberg, Marion W. Athearn, Judith E. Levy, and Ellen L. Simpson
Appl. Opt. 16(12) 3206-3209 (1977)

Optical constants of far infrared materials. 3: plastics

Donald R. Smith and Ernest V. Loewenstein
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Laser Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 6th ASTM Symposium

Alexander J. Glass and Arthur H. Guenther
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High Frequency Polarization Modulation Method for Measuring Birefringence

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