Optical Kerr effect study in viscous media. The series of homologous polyoxyethylenediols

Abstract

Systematic measurements of optically induced birefringence in the series of homologous polyoxyethylenediols have been carried out. Macroscopic and microscopic parameters of the molecular liquids studied, such as viscosity, molecular Kerr constant and effective optical anisotropy, have been calculated. The majority of the monomers studied have been found to show an untypical increase in the Kerr constant with increasing temperature. The possible explanation of this effect has been proposed.