Simultaneous measurement of linear electric birefringence and linear electric dichroism using pulsed electric fields

Abstract

A novel method has been developed for the rapid and simultaneous measurement of linear electric birefringence and linear electric dichroism of homogeneous, optically absorbing materials using pulsed electric fields. This method has been used to measure the linear electric birefringence and the linear electric dichroism, at a wavelength of 632.8 nm, of the copolymer poly(pentenylene-block-co-acetylene) in solution in cyclohexane at 298 K. The results are compared with those obtained using methods published by other authors.