Birefringence: The phenomenon where a material splits a light wave into two rays, each traveling at different velocities, resulting in double refraction.
A polariscope is a widely utilized instrument in stress testing that employs polarized light to examine residual stress presence within transparent materials. Depending on its specific function, a polariscope can be categorized into two types: a strain viewer and a polarimeter. The polariscope is designed to offer real-time, non-destructive stress detection. Some advanced polariscopes are capable of providing clear images and precise stress measurement data, making it an invaluable tool for ensuring material strength, integrity and performance.