Optimization of measurement conditions of Kerr constant in optically active liquids on the example of castor oil

Abstract

The results of measurements of Kerr constant in castor oil, obtained by dynamic-polarimetric method are presented. Variable optical path length and four measurement setup configurations were used. They differed by the orientation of polarizer and of quarterwave plate and therefore they were non-equivalent when other, unwanted effects occurred. It was shown that the Kerr constant measurement performed with use of only one system configuration and one length of optical path may be strongly affected by other effects, however taking the arithmetic mean of two results obtained from appropriate system configurations significantly reduces this error. Theoretical dependences were fitted to the experimental results, which allowed for approximation of other constants, like dichroism, linear birefringence and optical activity induced by external electric field (electrogyration).