Increase of refractive indices in liquid dielectrics by space charge accumulation

Summary form only given, as follows. Distributions of refractive indices were measured with Mach-Zehnder and Schlieren techniques in liquid dielectrics where space-charge conduction took place with a parallel-plane-electrode configuration under direct voltage application. An Al-SiO-Au emitter for hexane, a discharging plasma in gaseous space, and aqueous solutions of electrolytes for mineral and silicone oils were used as charge emitters. Space-charge distributions were determined graphically from curves of potential distributions measured with an electrostatic probe. Comparisons of the distributions of the refractive index to those of space charge show that refractive indices increase with space charge at the rate of 1.7*10/sup -5//10/sup -3/ C/m/sup 3/ for mineral oil at room temperature.<>