The Society of Glass Technology has recently published "Glass in Engineering & Science - Volume 1: Optical Birefringence in Glass." The main objective of the monograph is to draw together those disparate strands of glass science and technology associated with optical birefringence. Throughout the text, a simplified approach has been adopted in presenting the salient features of what is often difficult subject matter, partly to encourage a wider readership. Theoretical and experimental results from many sources are presented, and copious references are given in full so that particular fields of enquiry can be pursued in greater depth where necessary. In this connection, additional emphasis is given to the historical origins of the various scientific discoveries and technological innovations, which often tend to be overlooked. Indeed, several examples of largely unknown publications have been identified and given deserved recognition. To some degree, therefore, this present compendium is a celebration of the pioneering investigations carried out worldwide by numerous scientists and engineers over the past two centuries. The first chapter considers various fundamental aspects of the birefringence of glass, and encompasses the effects of magnetic and electric fields upon the transmission of polarised light, in addition to the more familiar stress-induced birefringence. Many of the wider applications of glass birefringence are discussed in subsequent chapters, especially regarding the residual stresses in annealed and toughened specimens of flat and non-flat glass components, including glass seals and optical glass. Other commentaries refer to the flow of birefringence in glass melts, optical retardation devices, and the modelling of particulate media.
