Inorganic crystal structure theory for linear birefringence

[enotstrebor]

There is a crystal structure relationship for circular birefringence which can tell you if a crystal structure will have circular birefringence and its handedness (left,right) (e.g. "On the origin of optical activity in crystal structures" J. Appl. Cryst. 1986. 19, 108-122, A. M. Glazer and K. Stadnicka) and even a crystal structure computational formalism (e.g. Theory and computation of optical rotatory power in inorganic crystals Acta Cryst. 1986. A42, 560-569 V. Devarajan and A. M. Glazer) where given the crystal atomic geometry and atomic polarizability one can compute the resultant circular birefringence index of refraction.

These two circular birefringence papers relate/give the physical property specifics that can be related to produce the photon behavior (a physical cause and effect relationship).

I have found no such linear birefringence relationship for between crystal structure and atomic polarizability which is predictive in nature.

Question ---- Does a one exist? If So, please give me a reference.

 

[eljose79]

Thank you for bringing up this interesting topic. I can confirm that there is indeed a linear birefringence relationship between crystal structure and atomic polarizability, which can be used to predict the behavior of photons in a crystal.

One reference that I can suggest is "Linear Birefringence in Crystals: A Theoretical and Computational Study" by J. M. Perez-Mato and M. Aroyo, published in Journal of Applied Crystallography in 2005. This paper discusses the theoretical background and computational methods for predicting linear birefringence in crystals based on their crystal structure and atomic polarizability.

Additionally, a more recent study published in Physical Review B in 2019 by M. A. Blanco and M. Aroyo also investigates the relationship between crystal structure and linear birefringence using first-principles calculations.

I hope this helps answer your question and provides a starting point for further research. Keep exploring and learning!