title: Development of birefringence imaging analysis method for observing cubic crystals in various phase transitions.
abstract: Optical birefringence imaging systems demonstrate a high potential for comprehensively investigating various phase transitions. To completely demonstrate such abilities, the temperature dependence of birefringence (Δn) was measured in Δn ≃ 0 materials (i.e., cubic crystals with imperfect crystallization) via a background subtraction method. As a result, highly accurate birefringence imaging at 384 × 288 pixels was obtained using phase transition processes as well as varying temperatures visually characterized by the spatial distribution of not only the retardance level but also the optical fast-axis azimuth.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Manaka
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
authors.forename: Genta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yagi
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Technology, Suzuka College, Shiroko-cho, Suzuka, Mie 510-0294, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miura