The Optical Method of Determining the Point Symmetries |
| S. Malinowski Institute of Physics, University of Łódź, Pomorska 149/153, 90-236 Łódź, Poland |
| Received: July 8, 1991 |
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| The present symmetry theory of optical phenomena makes it possible to determine each of 122 point symmetry groups both for non-dispersive as well as dispersive media. This is achieved by considering the symmetry breaking effect external fields (separately E and H) on the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The corresponding results are collected in Tables I-III. The way of measuring the relevant physical quantities is proposed. The point symmetry of a given sample is obtained by comparing the experimental results with their theoretical counterparts. The results given in Tables I-III can also be viewed as the discussion of the "canonical" solutions (effects) for a given symmetry K. |
| DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.80.61 PACS numbers: 61.16.-d, 78.20.Bh, 78.20.Jq, 78.20.Ls |