O-ray vs E-ray | Difference between O-ray and E-ray
This page compares O-ray vs E-ray and mentions difference between O-ray and E-ray. The O-ray stands for Ordinary ray and E-ray stands for Extraordinary ray.
Introduction:
Double refraction or Birefringence is special optical property which is observed in distinct type of anisotropic crystals
such as calcite, quartz, KDP, rutile etc. Both O-ray and E-ray are associated with this.
When single beam of unpolarized light is incident on such anisotropic crystal (e.g. Calcite),
light is splitted into two beams (viz. o-ray and e-ray) at the crystal surface as shown in the figure-1.
Both O-ray and E-ray propagate in two different directions with different velocities.
They have mutually orthogonal planes of polarization.
O-Ray | Ordinary ray
• As shown, plane of polarization of o-ray is perpendicular to the plane of figure.
• It is known as ordinary ray.
• It follows Snell's law of refraction.
• The velocity of o-ray i.e. vo is c/no.
E-Ray | Extraordinary ray
• As shown, plane of polarization of o-ray is in the same plane as of figure.
• It is known as Extraordinary ray.
• It does not follow Snell's law of refraction.
• The velocity of e-ray i.e. ve is c/ne.
The velocities of o-ray and e-ray are different in all the directions except in one particular direction known as optic axis. In this optic-axis, both o-ray and e-ray travel with same velocities. The effective refractive indices no and ne are known as principal refractive indices of the crystal.
Optical Components related links
Advantages and Disadvantages of other Sensor Types
Sensors and Transducers Related Links
What is Difference between
difference between OFDM and OFDMA
Difference between SC-FDMA and OFDM
Difference between SISO and MIMO
Difference between TDD and FDD
FDMA vs TDMA vs CDMA
FDM vs TDM
CDMA vs GSM