Optics, electromagnetic theory Polarization and crystal optics Concept
Index ellipsoid
Summary
The index ellipsoid, also called the optical indicatrix, is an ellipsoid built from the permittivity tensor of an anisotropic medium. Its semi-axes are the principal refractive indices. Cut it by the plane through the centre orthogonal to a direction of propagation. The section is an ellipse whose semi-axes are the two refractive indices for that direction. It turns the optics of crystals into the geometry of a quadric.
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About this page
| Tag | NRF1ESCGMR |
|---|---|
| URI | m2://NRF1ESCGMR |
| Kind | concept |
| Writing | W0 stub |
| MSC | 78A10, 78A05 |
| Specializes | Quadric |
| Same as | |
| Changed | 3 November 2026 |
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