Orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems on the wavevector surface in a transparent biaxial crystal

Abstract

New types of parametric representations of the wavevector surface in a biaxial crystal, which are based on the use of orthogonal curvilinear coordinates making possible to obviate the need for solving algebraic equations, are presented. By making use of them, the basic quadratic forms, the asymptotic directions, the asymptotic and parabolic curves are calculated, the excitation conditions of associated modes are found. It is shown that the presented coordinate systems can be used for the description of field vectors of eigenwaves and light beams and that similar systems can be introduced on some other surfaces.