Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
Circular differential scattering of light in films of chiral polyfluorene
Girish Lakhwani1, Stefan C J Meskers, René A J Janssen
1Laboratory for Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Circular differential transmission in thick films (1.1 mum) of poly{9,9-bis[(3S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl]-2,7-fluorene} is investigated. The vitrified liquid crystalline film obtained after annealing shows high circular differential transmission of light in the wavelength range where the polyfluorene does not absorb (lambda > 450 nm). Using a specifically designed chiroptical setup, we show that circular selective reflection of light in which the circular polarization of the light is retained after reflection, a process which is characteristic for cholesteric liquid crystalline films, makes a negligible contribution to the differential transmission. Using an integrating sphere, we show that circular differential scattering can account for the observed circular differential transmission for lambda > 450 nm.
More Related Videos
09:43Interfacial Molecular-level Structures of Polymers and Biomacromolecules Revealed via Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy
Published on: August 13, 2019
06:55Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
Published on: September 26, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Chirality
Chiral objects exhibit a sense of handedness when they interact with another chiral object. For example, our left foot can only fit in the left shoe and not in the right shoe. Achiral objects — objects that have...
Prochirality
Properties of Enantiomers and Optical Activity
Fischer Projections
Stereoisomerism of Cyclic Compounds
Chirality in Nature