ELECTRIC-FIELD-INDUCED OPTICAL-ACTIVITY IN NONMAGNETIC CRYSTALS

macroscopic theory of electric-field-induced optical activity in nonma gnetic crystals is presented, which is based on Maxwell's equations. A n eigenvalue wave equation is derived, in which multipole moments to t he order of electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole, and distortions t hereof linear in the applied electric field, are consistently included . This wave equation allows the linear electric-field-induced circular birefringence and also other coexisting natural and field-induced bir efringences to be expressed in terms of crystal property tensors. By m eans of symmetry considerations, nonmagnetic crystal classes are ident ified that exhibit linear electric-field-induced optical activity for particular light-propagation and applied-field geometries and for ligh t waves with purely transverse fields. (C) 1997 Optical Society of Ame rica.