Optical activity, domain structure and deflection of light at domain walls in lithium ammonium tartrate monohydrate (LAT)

Abstract

Abstract Dispersion and temperature dependence of the optical angle 2V, and optical activity as well as absorption UV spectra of LiNH4C4H4O6xH2O single crystal are reported. The domain structure of LAT below 98K and light deflections from ferroelastic domain walls were observed and examined. It was found that there are two kinds of domains observable below Tc i.e. with the (001) domain walls and (100) domain walls, called “a” and “c” domains, respectively. Experimental results proved that its phase transition is of the second order. A comparison of the reported results with those for Rochelle salt is given.