[en] In this paper, it is shown how an optical birefringence technique can be used to determine drying stresses in alumina films. The specimen geometry consists of a transparent plate as a substrate material that is coated on both sides with colloid dispersions. The homogeneous compressive stress in the substrate is determined from the optical retardation of a laser beam. The tensile stress in the coating can be easily calculated from the force balance, without any assumptions for its mechanical properties. The stress measurement principle based on photoelasticity, calibration of the experimental setup and initial results on drying stress evolution in alumina films are presented. (paper)