Rheo-optics of suspensions of anisometric particles. Part 1.—Monodisperse ellipsoidal particles

Abstract

Rheo-optical behaviour of a single ellipsoid in a simple shear flow, calculated using extensions of Jeffery's equations and modified Rayleigh–Debye theory, clearly indicates the presence of an ordered structure underlying its complicated modes of motion. Calculations were extended to an ensemble of randomly oriented monodisperse ellipsoids using a dynamic simulation method. The results, obtained for the ensemble, reveal the occurrence of well defined periodic transient rheo-optical oscillations provided the ellipsoids are not too far from axisymmetric. This indicates that transient rheo-optical measurements provide a suitable experimental method for study of suspensions of anisometric particles.