The Development and Application of Magnetophotoelasticity

Abstract

Magnetophotoelasticity was conceived as a viable method of solving the problem of integrated three-dimensional photoelasticity [1]. In particular, the technique allows for the solution of stress distributions that vary along the light path in a manner which produces an integrated optical effect of zero. By placing a three dimensional model in a magnetic field which is parallel to the direction of the incident polarised light, the light experiences a rotation due in part to the birefringence of the model and in part due to an induced Faraday rotation. As a consequence, it becomes possible to measure an optical effect and describe the stress distribution along the light path.