Page:On Polarisation of Electric Rays by Double Refracting Crystals.djvu/4

294 cell. The leading wires are shielded from radiation by enclosing them inside two coatings of tin foil, along the whole length. As an additional precaution the Galvanometer is also enclosed in a metallic case, with a slit in front of the Galvanometer mirror. A spot of light reflected from the mirror is received on a scale. By adjusting the electromotive force of the circuit, the sensitiveness may be increased to any extent desirable.

When the Analyser and Polariser are properly constructed, and the two exactly crossed, no radiation will reach the sensitive surface, and the Galvanometer will remain unaffected. The field is then said to be dark. But any slight rotation of either Polariser or Analyser, will partially restore the field, and the spot of light will sweep across the scale.

The spark gap 2 m.m. in length is adjusted in a line inclined at 45° to the horizon. The wires of the Polariser are placed at right angles to this line. The transmitted beam is then plane polarised, its plane of vibration being inclined at 45° to the horizon. The Analyser is now adjusted in a crossed position. On starting the electric vibration, by closing the Ruhmkorff's coil circuit, the Galvanometer remains unaffected. The crystal to be examined is now interposed with its principal plane vertical.

The Geological Department of India kindly lent me a large number of crystals for examination, for which I have to express my thanks. Out of a large number of experiments, I give below an account of some typical cases.

Rhombohedral System.—1° Beryl.—The ﬁrst piece experimented on was a large crystal of Beryl. It is a Hexagonal prism with basal planes. The specimen examined has each face 11×5 c.m. The three axes lying in the same plane are inclined at 60° to each other, the fourth axis which is also the optical axis, is at right angles to the plane containing the other three. This crystal was optically opaque.

On interposing this block with its principal plane vertical, the Galvanometer spot flew off the scale. The crystal had thus produced the well known depolarising action. The crystal was now gradually inclined till its principal plane coincided with the polarising plane of the Polariser. There was now no action on the Galvanometer. On continuing the rotation the Galvanometer at once responded. The spot became quiescent a second time, when the principal plane coincided with the polarisation plane of the analyser.