Optical active media investigations by optical Kerr effect

Abstract

Systematic measurements of optically induced birefringence in some optical active solutions are reported. Relative Kerr constants `B r ' (relative to solvent), refractive indices n a (at (lambda) equals 488.0 nm) and n i (at (lambda) equals 694.3 nm), and densities `d' of the solutions under study were measured at room temperature in a wide range of concentrations. The absolute and molar Kerr constants `B o ' and `B m ' were calculated as a function of the volume fraction. From these data, the microscopic parameters of the samples such as the specific Kerr constant, mean polarizability, anisotropic factors, optical polarizability, orientation function, orientation parameters, and effective induced dipole moment were calculated.