The effect of strong electric and magnetic fields on the depolarization ratios of gases

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1960 · Molecular Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00268976000100211· OSTI ID:4151656

Andrews, A. L.; Buckingham, A. D.

The influence of a strong electric field F on the polarization of light scattered elastically by small gaseous molecules is investigated. Two effects are found: (i) The field distorts the molecules, thereby changing their polarizabilities. If they are isotropically polarizable when F = 0, and capable of scattering only polarized light from a parallel beam, this distortion may lead to depolarization. For inert gas atoms, this depolarization is proportional to F⁴, and normally very small, but for tetrahedral molecules it is proportional to beta²F², where beta is the first hyperpolarizability of the molecule. (ii) F tends to orientate anisotropic molecules, thereby affecting the polarization of the scattered light. This effect is related to the anisotropy in the molecular polarizability, and to the dipole moment, but is not likely to lead to information that is not obtainable by simpler means. The effect of a strong magnetic field, in place of F, is discussed.

• Research Organization: Oxford Univ.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-14-017124
• OSTI ID: 4151656
• Journal Information: Molecular Physics, Journal Name: Molecular Physics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 3; ISSN 0026-8976
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANISOTROPY
BEAMS
CONFIGURATION
ELECTRIC FIELDS
GASES
INERT GASES
LIGHT
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEASURED VALUES
MOLECULES
PHYSICS
POLARIZATION
SCATTERING