INTERFERENCE PATTERNS UNDER NORMAL INCIDENCE IN BIREFRINGENT, OPTICALLY-ACTIVE PLANE-PARALLEL PLATES

We have studied the interference pattern of multiple reflections from a uniaxial, optically active and non-absorbing plane parallel plate un der normal incidence. Due to birefringence, a beam of polarized light splits into an ordinary and an extraordinary component. Because of opt ical activity, the number of beams is doubled after each reflection. D uring crossing of the plate the phase difference between beams is incr eased by fixed amounts. The calculated results show that the interfere nce pattern of the transmitted light is more complex than that of an i sotropic parallel plate. It consists of strong fringes at large phase intervals and weak doublets in between, at nearly the same phase inter vals as in the isotropic plate.