Simple method of the birefringent media properties determination

The simple and easy methods of determining the important birefringent medium parameters have been presented. These methods allow us to measure some important quantities of the medium: the azimuth angle and the ellipticity angle of the first medium eigenvector, the phase difference introduced by the medium and intensity transmission coefficients of the two eigenwaves. The main idea of the methods described is based on the measurement of the four intensities of the linearly polarized light passed both: through the investigated medium, and through the medium and linear analyzer.