OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS AND LIQUID-CRYSTALS IN ELECTRICAL, MAGNETIC, AND HYDRODYNAMIC FIELDS

The behavior of polymer molecules oriented by mechanical, electrical, and magnetic fields is discussed. The consequences of such orientation on optical properties such as birefringence, dichroism, and scatterin g is analyzed, and means for studying these are illustrated. Particula r cases which are described are (a) the change in birefringence dichro ism, and light scattering when a crystalline polymer is subject to str ain, (b) the change in small-angle neutron scattering when a polymer m elt or crosslinked rubber is deformed, (c) the change in birefringence and light scattering accompanying the stress-induced crystallization of a polymer, and (d) the change in light scattering accompanying the shearing of a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer.