KERR ELECTRO OPTIC EFFECT

The creation of birefringence in a liquid that is not otherwise birefringent, by subjecting the liquid to an electric field . Note 1: The degree of birefringence, which is manifested as a difference in refractive indices for light of orthogonal linear polarizations, one of which is parallel to the induced optical axis , is directly proportional to the square of the applied electric field strength . Note 2: In the general case, the birefringence produced by the applied electric field can be used in conjunction with polarizers to modulate light. Devices that use this principle are called Kerr cells .