Optical Electric Field Assessment in a Dielectric Liquid

A new experimental method is described in which the electrostrictive effect in a liquid is made visible. A real-time interferometer employing a Q-switched ruby laser was used to record transient optical disturbances. When a pulse voltage, synchronized with the laser pulse, was applied to the test object, interference fringes were produced in the viewing plane that could be recorded on photographic film. Experimental results are presented, together with a model for interpretation.