We analyzed the generation mechanism of birefringence in poly(methyl methacrylate (MMA)/styrene (St)) through measurement of infrared (IR) dichroism. Through IR measurement, the conformational changes in the St unit were suggested and found to differ between orientational and photoelastic birefringence generation. We thought that, during photoelastic birefringence generation, the α-CH3 group of the MMA unit hinders the rotation of the benzene ring of St units that are adjacent to MMA units. The influence of compositional distribution on birefringence was also investigated and the results suggested that the compositional distribution of poly(MMA/St) minimally affects the birefringence.
- Takumi Kojo
- Akihiro Tagaya
- Yasuhiro Koike
