ELECTRO-OPTICAL KERR EFFECT OF OPTICALLY-ACTIVE LIQUIDS

The electro-optical Kerr effect of optically active liquids has been studied theoretically, applying the lamellar model of Jones, and experimentally, by measurement of the solution Kerr constant B//1//2 of a series of solutions of d- and dl-camphor in carbon tetrachloride. Equations are presented which allow the intrinsic phase retardation, delta , associated with the Kerr effect to be determined using the Senarmont method in conjunction with either dc or pulsed electric fields. The method of determining delta , using pulsed electric fields is particularly useful for solutions having an appreciable electrical conductivity. The time-dependent behavior of a relaxing system, measured using quadratic detection of the optical transient resulting from the application of a pulsed rectangular electric field, is predicted to be essentially unaffected by optical activity over a wide range of delta and optical rotation.