Simple technique for the generation of plane surface normal to optic axis direction of uniaxial crystal

What we believe to be a new experimental technique for the generation of a plane crystal surface perpendicular to the optic axis direction of a transparent birefringent uniaxial crystal is presented. A simple setup has been described for the initial optic axis alignment of a raw uniaxial crystal blank. Error correction methods have been illustrated. A technique for producing high optical quality surfaces by block polishing plane parallel crystal surfaces normal to the direction of the optic axis, in one setting, is discussed. The block with angular graduations facilitates the correction of angular error. A new conoscopy setup has been coupled to a Fizeau interferometer for high accuracy testing of the optic axis alignment with respect to the surface normal of the relevant polished surface of the uniaxial crystal. The results obtained for a quartz crystal blank are presented.