Theory of optical rotatory power

Abstract

A general theory of natural optical rotatory power is given, applicable to dense media. The statistical mechanical treatment includes the effect of correlations between molecules. The molecules are characterized by classically defined polarizability tensors which are explained quantum mechanically. A generalized wave equation is derived which holds for a medium which may be anisotropic as well as optically active. A new demonstration of the extinction theorem is given. The theory is applied to isotropic media.