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Photoelasticity: theoretical aspects
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This wiki is dedicated to the use of photoelasticity in a general manner. Before going more into detail about [how to make](https://git-xen.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/PhotoElasticity/Main/wikis/method-make) photoelastic samples, [how to image](https://git-xen.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/PhotoElasticity/Main/wikis/method-image) them and even [how to get quantitative information](https://git-xen.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/PhotoElasticity/Main/wikis/method-analyze) from photoelasticity, it is important to begin by some physical explanations about this phenomenon. The goal is not here to go deep into details. For those who would like more information, we suggest you to read the excellent [wikipedia page] about photoelasticity(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoelasticity) or this very nice [lecture by W. Wang](http://depts.washington.edu/mictech/optics/me557/photoelasticity.pdf).
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This wiki is dedicated to the use of photoelasticity in a general manner. Before going more into detail about [how to make](https://git-xen.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/PhotoElasticity/Main/wikis/method-make) photoelastic samples, [how to image](https://git-xen.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/PhotoElasticity/Main/wikis/method-image) them and even [how to get quantitative information](https://git-xen.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/PhotoElasticity/Main/wikis/method-analyze) from photoelasticity, it is important to begin by some physical explanations about this phenomenon. The goal is not here to go deep into details. For those who would like more information, we suggest you to read the excellent [wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoelasticity) about photoelasticity or this very nice [lecture by W. Wang](http://depts.washington.edu/mictech/optics/me557/photoelasticity.pdf).
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The photoelastic phenomenon is based on birefringence properties of some transparent materials. In a birefringent material, the speed of light, and consequently the index of refraction depends on wave polarization. In other cases, such as glass and polymeric materials, birefringence arises only when the material is subject to anisotropic stress. In other words, the refractive indexes depend on the eigenvalues of local stress tensor. This phenomenon is called photoelasticity and has been utilized in experimental science for several decade.
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