RELATION BETWEEN THE OPTICAL-PROPERTIES AND STRUCTURE OF KLISO4 IN THE ROOM-TEMPERATURE PHASE

The refractive indices and the optical activity along and perpendicula r to the optic axis have been determined in the room-temperature phase of KLiSO4. The values of all these quantities have been successfully connected with the crystal structure by using a classical point-dipole polarizability theory. This permits determination of the absolute opt ical chirality of the material, i.e. provides a link between the absol ute configuration and the sign of the optical rotation. The polarizabi lities of the different atoms have been determined. The conclusion is reached that the main contributors to the optical activity are the O a toms, in particular those occupying general positions.