Predictions of the change in extinction coefficient for prolate particles under shear

Abstract

Rheo-optical experiments were conducted on suspensions of hematite rods in order to quantify the relationship between the Peclet number and flow-induced anisotropy of the suspension. By measuring the extinction coefficient, it was possible to relate the spectral changes. The experimental observations were explained by the transition between the randomizing effect of the thermodynamic Brownian motion of the particles and the applied hydrodynamic forces.