Small-angle scattering of polarized light .V. Liquid crystalline droplets in an isotropic polymer
Résumé
The light scattering properties of spherical droplets of a nematic low molar mass liquid crystal dispersed either in a polymer matrix or in water have been investigated. The size of the droplets varied from 0.5 mu m to 100 mu m. Only a radial arrangement of the director in spherical droplets was considered. Up to ten orders HV scattering patterns were experimentally measured. Calculations have been conducted using the anomalous diffraction and Rayleigh-Gans-Debye theories. Particles larger then 2 mu m show an extremely good agreement with the anomalous diffraction theory. Particles smaller than 2 mu m show no agreement with either theory. This may be due to a more complex director arrangement than the radial distribution assumed here.