Optical Properties

Birefringence:

When a beam of light falling on a textile fibre, it splits up into two refracted beam, one polarized parallel
to the fibre axis and the other polarized perpendicular to fibre axis.

In general, an anisotropic material will have three principal refractive indices, but fibres are usually
axially symmetrical so that the refractive indices perpendiculars to the fibre axis are all the same. The
difference between the refractive index for light polarized parallel to the fibre axis and light polarized
perpendicular to the fibre axis is called Birefringence of that fibre. Let n|| and n┴ are the refractive index
for light polarized parallel and perpendicular to the fibre
axis respectively.

So, Birefringence value = n|| - n┴

The birefringence of a fibre is due to the

orientation of the crystal axis in the crystalline
regions and of the individual molecules in the non-
crystalline regions.

Greater the value of birefringence indicates the

most of molecules are lined up parallel to the fibre
axis & it will be zero if they are randomly
directed.

Refractive Index:

The velocity with which light is transmitted varies with the medium through which it is passing.
Refractive index ‘n’ is defined as the ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to the velocity of light in
the material.

Alternative definition is,

sine of angle of incidence

Refractive index, n =
sine of angle of refraction

The refractive index of a mtl varies with the temp and with the wave length of the light being transmitted.

Birefringence property depends on following factor:

1. The degree of orientation.

2. The degree of asymmetry of molecular chain.
 Highly oriented fibres will have high Birefringence value. Ideally oriented fibres have different
birefringence value.

The magnitude of birefringence which ranges from 0.005 for Triacetate to 0.188 for Terylene.

If all the atoms in a molecule are arranged in a straight chain as fig. (a) the bond polarizabilities are
greatest along the line joining the atoms, and then will be get high birefringence value. However,
theactual molecules in fibres do not have this form and their birefringence will be reduced for two reasons.

(a) (b) (c)

Fig: (a) Straight chain, (b) Zigzag chain & (c) Chain with side group

Firstly, most main chains have a zigzag form as in fig (b) provided that the bonds diverge from the main
axis by less than about 55˚; this will still give a positive birefringence value. The coiling of the keratin
molecule will have a similar effect in wool.

Secondly there will be side groups attacked to the main chain as in fig(c), and these will have the effect of
providing atomic bonds at right angles to the main axis. In this case, n ┴ value is higher than n|| value and
reduces the Birefringence value. In acrylic fibre, side groups have a greater effect than the main chain and
the Birefringence value will be negative.

Cellulose triacetate is weakly negatively birefringent such as

-0.005. It indicates that most of the mass of the fibres is in the
bulky side chains, not in the long-chain backbone molecules
[Fig. 6.10]. Cellulose triacetate, showing low birefringence,
is used as films for use in optical applications, such as in
liquid crystal displays (LCD) as protective and compensator
films.

Highly aligned fibers show high birefringence values. Birefringence varies, with Triacetate having 0.005 and Terylene
having 0.188. In ideal straight-chain molecules (Fig. a), birefringence is high, but real fibers differ.

Most main chains have a zigzag form (Fig. b), causing positive birefringence if bonds diverge less than 55. Wool's keratin
molecule coils similarly.

Side groups in the main chain (Fig. c) provide bonds at right angles, reducing birefringence. Acrylic fibers may have a
negative birefringence due to side group effects.

Cellulose triacetate is weakly negatively birefringent (-0.005), indicating bulky side chains rather than long-chain backbone
molecules. It's used in optical applications like LCDs for its low birefringence.
Optical orientation factor:

Birefringence depends on the relation between the direction of polarization of light and the direction of
alignment of the molecular chain. Birefringence value will be greatest when the molecules are all lined up
parallel to the fibre axis. Hermans has defined an optical orientation factor, f, as the ratio of the
birefringence of the fibre to that of an ideal fibre in which the molecules are perfectly oriented parallel to
the fibre axis.
11 −⊥
f =
  − 
11 ⊥

3 2
= 1- 2 Sin ∅………………1
Where, n||́ and n┴́ refer to the ideally oriented fibre an imaginary fibre in which all the molecules are
arranged at the same angle and which has the same B.F. as the actual fibre.

In the ideally oriented fibre, f = 1 and Ф = 0

In an isotropic fibre, f = 0 and Ф = 55 ˚
Where there is no Birefringence value.
Measurement of Birefringence:

The Birefringence of a fibre can be measured directly by determining the retardation or difference in
optical path length. Since the optical path length equals the product of the refractive index and the
thickness of the specimen through which the light passes.

So, Optical path retardation = ( N +  N )

= (11 −⊥ )t ..................(i)

Where, (N + δ N) = Total number of wave length.

λ = Wave length.

t = Thickness.

So, from the equation (i),

Optical path retardation = Birefringence x Thickness

( N +  N )
Birefringence =
t

Where, n|| = Refractive index for light polarized parallel to the fibre axis.

⊥ = Refractive index for light polarized

Perpendicular to the fibre axis.

Relation among Refractive index, Density & Swelling:

Refractive Indices of a material is determined by an appropriate summation of the polarizabilities of the

bonds present in each of its molecules. So R.I. will increase if no of molecules i.e. density increases.

By Gladstone and Dale’s law,

(n −1) = Cons tan t


Where, ρ = density of the mtl

n = R.I. of the mtl.

1
 V (n-1) = constant; [where
= V; m = 1]

A similar relation applies to mixtures.

If Vm and nm are the volume and R.I. respectively of a mixture and V1, V2, V3,…........... and n1, n2,
n3,… ................. Are the corresponding quantities for the individual components, the relation is,

Vm (nm – 1) = V1 (n1 – 1) + V2 (n2 – 1) + V3 (n3 – 1) +…………..

For the two components cellulose and water with the refractive index of water taken 1.33333.

So, Vr (nr – 1) = Vo (no – 1) + 0.3333r

Where, Vo is the volume of 1 gm of dry cellulose

Vr is the volume of the specimen at a fractional regain r.

and no and nr are the R.I. of the dry and swollen cellulose.

This equation applies to both the Refractive Indexes n|| and n┴.

The equation is,

Vr (n11 − n⊥ ) r = V0 (n11 − n⊥ )

Dichroism:

The variation in the absorption of radiation by a coloured fibre (by dyeing) with the direction of
polarization of the light is called Dichroism which may result in the differences in the depth of shade or
even in the actual colour.

We get,

k11
Dichroic or Dichroitic ratio or constant, Ф =
k⊥

Where, k|| = Absorption coefficient for light polarized parallel

to the fibre axis.

k⊥ = Absorption coefficient for light polarized

perpendicular to the fibre axis.

Requirements of Dichroism:

1. The dye molecule must be asymmetrical so that its absorption of radiation varies with the
direction of the electric field exciting the characteristics vibration.
2. The dye molecule must be absorbed on to the fibre molecule in a particular direction so that
all the dye molecules make the same angle (or a limited range of angles) with the axis of the
chain molecules.
3. The chain molecules must be preferentially oriented.
Cross fibre absorbs more radiation than parallel fibre:

When light passes through the two Dichroic fibres, there is a greater total absorption if they are crossed
than there is if they are parallel.

The reason is fairly obvious:- When light goes through two Dichroic fibers, more light gets absorbed if
they are crossed compared to when they are parallel. It's quite clear why:
If the fibres are crossed, the first fibre absorbs a large part of one component and the second fibre absorbs
a large part of the perpendicular component. But if the fibres are parallel, the same component is
transmitted through both little absorption. When the fibers are crossed, the first fiber absorbs a significant part of
one light component, and the second fiber absorbs a significant part of
the perpendicular component. However, if the fibers are parallel, the
same light component passes through both fibers with minimal absorption.

Dichroic constant for direct dyes on cellulose:

Fibre Dichroic constant

Ramie 9

Viscose rayon 1.4 – 2.3

Cellophane 1.5

Reflection & Luster:

Luster is an important aesthetic property of textile fibre or fabric. If a beam of light falls on a surface, it
may be reflected spectacularly along
 Combination of specular
Specular reflexion Diffuse reflexion
& diffusion reflexion

the angle of reflection as fig (a); diffusely in varying intensity over a hemi-sphere as in fig (b) or in a
combination of both as in fig(c).

The reflection may vary with the angle of incidence and with the colour and polarization of light. The
total visual appearance resulting from these reflections determines the Luster of the mtl.

Lustre depends on:

1. Incident angle of light:

If the light falls across the fibre or along the fibre.

If a fibre behaved as a perfect reflecting circular cylinder, it would reflect light as like fig (a) and fig (b).

It is clear that if the light falls across the fibre, it is reflected at various angles. Where as if it falls along
the fibres, here it reflect at constant angle.

i r i=r

Reflexion of light
Axis in incident plane
Axis normal to incident plane

2. Fineness of fibre:
The fibre the fibres incorporated in a fabric, the greater is the number of individual reflecting surfaces per
unit area of the fabric. Therefore, fibre fineness affects the Lustre for the same types of smoothness and
regularity, the coarser fibres will have more Lustre than fiber one.

3. Irregularity of the fibre surface:

Irregularity on the surface of the fibre and in its cross-sectional shape will cause light to be reflected in
various directions and will reduce the Lustre. It is essential that fibre should be uniform along its length.
For this reason, Lustre is greatest in regular filaments, such those of silk and the M.M.F.

4. Fibre shape:
Fibre shape is an important factor for Lustre. The particular types of Lustre associated with nylon, rayon
and silk must be vary due to (the influence on) the pattern of light reflection of their respective circular,
serrated and triangular shape.

The more fibers present in a fabric, the higher the number of individual
reflecting surfaces per unit area. Consequently, fiber fineness influences
the fabric's lustre. Coarser fibers tend to have more lustre compared to
finer ones, assuming they have similar smoothness and regularity.
 Circular → More lusture →

Serrated → Dull lusture →

Tirangular → Less luster →

5. Presentation of small particles on fibre like TiO2 or Minimize the Lustre of M.M.F:
When a beam of light falls on the falls on the fibre, it is not only reflected but also transmitted. Some of
this transmitted light will reflect from the internal surfaces as fig (a).

If the fibre contains small particles e.g. TiO2 or Cavities as fig (b), these will scatter the transmitted light
at varying angles and cause it to emerge as particularly diffuse reflection.

TiO2 is used as de - Lustreants in MMF to reduce its Lustre.

(b)
(a) Scattering of transmitted light
Internal reflexion in delustred fibre

6. Maturity of fibre:
If the maturity is high then the reflection will be high and with these the Luster will also be high.

Maturity Reflection Luster

Immature fibre Mature fibre