Optical investigation of short-chain n-alkanes

Abstract

An experimental study of the molecular optical anisotropy and non-linear third-order polarizability of short-chain flexible n-alkanes in neat liquids has been carried out. The techniques of optically induced birefringence (optical Kerr effect) and depolarized Rayleigh scattering have been used. For the liquids studies, the molecular optical Kerr constants and Rayleigh coefficients are also given. A linear correlation between the optical Kerr constant and the number of carbon atoms in the alkane molecule has been found.