Laser-induced birefringence measurement for pure liquids

An apparatus has been designed to measure the birefringence induced in various liquids by a Q switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm. The apparatus was designed for high sensitivity, specifically to measure the induced birefringence in weakly anisotropic pure liquids. Results for some well characterized pure liquids and for the liquid alkane series from pentane to dodecane are presented.