title: Thermally induced laser interference and birefringence in a metal-coated optical plate.
abstract: Time-dependent interference and stress birefringent patterns have been observed when a laser beam was incident upon a metal-coated optical plate (beam splitter). These effects are caused by the spatially nonuniform and time-dependent temperature distribution in the plate as the result of the laser-light absorption. A detailed description of the observed phenomena is presented.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Almeida