Opto-thermal properties of fibres. 1. Effect of annealing on the optical parameters of nylon 6 fibres

Abstract

Changes in the structure of annealed Nylon 6 fibres at a constant temperature of 160 °C and at different times were studied interferometrically. The Pluta polarizing interference microscope was used to determine the mean refractive indices and mean birefringence of these fibres. Relationships between the mean refractive indices, birefringence, isotropic refractive index and polarizabilities per unit volume with different times are given for these fibres. An empirical formula is suggested to represent the variation of birefringence of annealed Nylon 6 fibres with different times. Illustrations are given using graphs and microinterferograms.