Birefringence dispersion in a quartz crystal retrieved from a channeled spectrum resolved by a fiber-optic spectrometer

We present a simple method for measuring the wavelength dependence of both the phase and group birefringences in a quartz crystal of known thickness. The method utilizes interference of polarized waves resolved by a fiber-optic spectrometer as a channeled spectrum (spectral fringes). The fringe order versus the precise position of the interference maximum in the spectrum is fitted to the approximate function, from which the phase birefringence as a function of wavelength is retrieved. We also determine the group birefringence dispersion. The functions measured in a range from 500 to 900 nm are compared with those resulting from the available dispersion relation, and very good agreement is confirmed.

Research highlights► We present a simple method for measuring the birefringence dispersion. ► The method is based on resolving a channeled spectrum by a fiber-optic spectrometer. ► We need to determine the fringe order vs. the position of the interference maximum. ► A very good agreement between model and experiment was found.