Variation of light intensity as a function of birefringence

Description

Variation of light intensity as a function of birefringence ($\Delta n$), sample thickness ($d$), and wavelength ($\lambda$) according to the interference model $I = I_0 \cos^2(\pi d \Delta n / \lambda)$. The periodic oscillations demonstrate how retardation ($d \Delta n$) shifts transmission peaks, leading to wavelength-dependent constructive and destructive interference. The lower panels illustrate the spectral intensity distribution and the resulting interference colors, simulating the characteristic color sequences observed in a Michel-Lévy chart under white light illumination.

Tags