KERR-EFFECT IN AOT-DODECANE-WATER MICROEMULSIONS

Electric birefringence measurements were carried out in sodium ylhexyl sulfosuccinate(AOT)-water-dodecane(decane), water/oil microemulsions, along different concentration paths. The Kerr constant as a function o f watercore droplet radius or the water volume fraction have been dete rmined. This electro-optic effect was related to the droplet deformati on induced by the applied electric field. An estimate of the bending m odulus based on van der Linden's theory is proposed. The behaviour of the Kerr constant and the validity of the theoretical approach near a transition phase zone was analyzed.