Measurement of strain birefringence in isotropic and liquid crystal elastomers and ferrogels

ORAL

Abstract

We have constructed an apparatus for the sensitive measurement of strain induced birefringence in elastomer samples. Rather than rotating the sample, we rotate the polarization of the probe beam while applying stress to the sample, and analyze the transmitted intensity. We have studied the strain induced birefringence in isotropic elastomers, nematic liquid crystal elastomers, and elastomers with dissolved ferrofluid particles. We present the results of our measurements, and interpret them in terms of the stress-optic theorem, and the coupling between orientational order parameters and strain.

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Authors

  • Christopher Bailey

    Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

  • Antonio M. Figueiredo Neto

    Instituto de F\'isica, Universidade de S\~ao Paulo, S\~ao Paulo, SP, Brazil

  • Maria H. Godinho

    Faculdade de Ci\^encias e Tecnologia e CENIMAT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Quinta da Torre, Caparica, Portugal

  • Peter Palffy-Muhoray

    Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

  • T. Toth-Katona

    Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA