Kerr Effect in Substituted Aromatic Nitro Compounds

TLDR: In this article, the effects of adding or substituting other groups into the aromatic ring of nitrobenzene are reported, and the effectiveness of increasing molecular asymmetry on the Kerr effect in a series of compounds is also noted.

Abstract: A method for the determination of Kerr constants of liquids is described. The effects of adding or substituting other groups into the aromatic ring of nitrobenzene are reported. The effectiveness of increasing molecular asymmetry on the Kerr effect in a series of compounds is also noted. The most effective material measured was a 1 molar solution of 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4′‐nitro‐stilbene in nitrobenzene. This solution has a Kerr constant almost eight times that of pure nitrobenzene.