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Circular Birefringence and Circular Dichroism Simulation

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Abstract

Optical activity is an essential component of undergraduate chemistry, yet its origins are rarely explored. In this Mathcad document the fundamental principles of circular dichroism and circular birefringence are examined. Interactive graphs are included that permit the user to alter the phase difference or absorption between the circular components to simulate both phenomena. Advanced graphing and matrix manipulation are also used to show both the 2D and 3D perspectives, as well as instructions on how to create animations that can be used by various media players. This document requires little prerequisite knowledge of Mathcad and can be used by an undergraduate audience in either an instrumental or physical chemistry course. The animations also could be used as a visual aid to accompany a lecture. The videos, containing two animated graphs that were produced with the Mathcad document, show both two- and three-dimensional perspectives that can be played on most conventional media players. One file displays circular birefringence (CB) while the other displays circular dichroism (CD).

Figure 1. Left circularly polarized light viewed from front using a right Cartesian coordinate system.

Downloads

Version	Download
Mathcad	CB_CD.mcd

Version	Download
Mathcad	CB_CD.pdf

Animation

videos.zip

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Commentary

Other Information

Keywords

Audience: Upper-Division Undergraduate;

Domain: Analytical Chemistry; Laboratory Instruction; Physical Chemistry;

Pedagogy: Computer-Based Learning;

Topics: Spectroscopy;

JCE Citation