Abstract
The molecular Kerr constant has been measured for undiluted N-(p-Methoxybenzylidene)-p-n-butylaniline (MBBA) in the isotropic phase and also for MBBA in solution in benzene and carbon tetrachloride. The dependence of the molecular Kerr constant on concentration and temperature was studied. The anomalous optical properties manifested by pure MBBA in the isotropic phase were also found to be present in the solutions. De Gennes' theory was obeyed for undiluted MBBA and for concentrated solutions of MBBA in carbon tetrachloride. The infinite dilution molecular Kerr constant for MBBA in solution in benzene or carbon tetrachloride was readily interpreted in terms of modest anisotropies in the polarisability of the individual molecules.