Modern application packages for rigorous solution of problems of light propagation in anisotropic layered media: II. Optically active crystals

The matrix Δ suggested by Berreman for optically active crystals of various symmetry classes has been calculated with the use of the Mathematica-4.1 package. It is shown that the eigenvalues of this matrix are the refractive indices, whereas its eigenvectors determine the polarization states of eigenwaves propagating in the crystal. The relation between the components of the gyration tensors obtained on the basis of various constitutive equations is established. The essential differences in the optical activity described on the basis of these equations are also discussed.