Difference between the refractive indices of an optically active medium for left,
\(n^{\rm{L}}\), and right,
\(n^{\rm{R}}\), circularly polarized
radiation (
\(n^{\rm{L}}-n^{\rm{R}}\)).
Notes: - "Circular birefringence" is also used to describe the phenomenon of having different refractive indices for left and right circularly polarized radiation.
- Like the refractive indices (\(n^{\rm{L}}\), \(n^{\rm{R}}\)), circular birefringence changes with wavenumber.
Source:
PAC, 2021, 93, 647. 'Glossary of methods and terms used in analytical spectroscopy (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)' on page 653 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0203)