What is the symmetry of castor oil between metal electrodes?

Abstract

Presented experimental data show that castor oil between metal flat electrodes can not be satisfactorily described as an isotropic liquid of ꝏꝏ symmetry, even in the absence of an electric field between the electrodes. Correct description of optical properties requires the assumption of ꝏ2 symmetry and consideration of circular birefringence, linear birefringence and dichroism occurring at the same time. Disappearance of linear birefringence and dichroism in castor oil has been observed several days after filling cuvette witch metal electrodes, which suggests the usefulness of such measurements to study the aging processes. The results presented are also important for correct interpretation of future measurements of electro-optic and electrogyration effects in liquids.