Complete characterization of the refractive index tensor of a polymeric liquid crystal under simple shear flow

The technique described in this report uses an angled light configuration designed to provide complimentary information to the results obtained through the spectrographic technique. In contrast, this experiment utilizes a single shear flow geometry, having the advantage that no edge effects are present. The simple shear deformation of PLC solutions reveal orientation which is very close to the flow direction and an orientation state which is approximately uniaxial at high shear rates. The Doi model qualitatively predicts the full orientation state of the PBG system in the high shear rate flow aligning regime. However, at low shear rates a biaxial structure is observed, consistent with a symmetric misalignment of domains away from the flow direction.