A Fourier-Transform based interferometric technique for measuring the elastic anisotropy of a dye doped liquid crystal

In this paper we describe an interferometric technique based on high precision two-dimensional spatial fringe analysis Fourier method for measuring the elastic constants of nematic liquid crystals. Since the determination of the elastic anisotropy relies on the measurement of the ratios between the elastic constants, this technique provides a powerful and high accuracy method for characterising nematic liquid crystals.