An experimental study of the magnetic linear birefringence and dichroism of liquids, solutions and dispersions

This thesis contains an experimental study of the linear birefringence and dichroism induced by magnetic fields In molecular liquids, solutions and colloidal dispersions. The measurements were made using apparatus of greater sensitivity than any previously described; most results were new determinations. The liquids were mostly linear and branched alkanes, or alkane derivatives, generally being of high molecular flexibility. Results were also obtained for both very low and high anisotropy liquids of rigid molecules. Solutions of low molecular weight liquids and macro-molecules (polypeptides] were also studied. An immeasurably small dlchrolsm was found for all the above fluids. The valence-optical scheme and the existence of intermolecular angular correlations are not sufficient to explain the birefringence results. Extensive studies were made of the magnetic birefringence and dichroism of crystalline polytetrafluoroethylene of about 0.2 in diameter, dispersed in water. These covered a volume fraction range of about 10" to 0.5, the latter being a highly turbid, concentrated colloidal dispersion. At volume fractions greater than about 0.1, the concentration dependence of the birefringence and dichroism were markedly different, and not explicable on the basis of angular correlation between the colloidal particles.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

City of London Polytechnic

Year dc:date.issued

1982

Author dc:creator

• Batchelor, Peter John

• 530 Physics

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

N/A

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.londonmet.ac.uk:3035