Applications of shear-induced polarized light imaging (SIPLI) technique for mechano-optical rheology of polymers and soft matter materials

A new experimental method for studying the mechano-optical rheology of polymeric liquids and soft matter materials is presented. The method is based on a combination of rotational rheology and a recently developed optical technique—shear-induced polarized light imaging (SIPLI). The method provides a unique opportunity to monitor a complete sample view during rheological measurements in plate–plate and cone-and-plate geometry. Applications of the method are presented including simultaneous SIPLI and the rheology of the oriented lamellar phase of block copolymers and liquid crystals as well as a study of the thermally induced reversible transformation of worm-like micelles to spherical micelles. In addition, a direct relation between the shish formation and the polymer melt viscosity upturn during flow-induced crystallization of semi-crystalline polymers is demonstrated. An application of SIPLI for quantitative birefringence measurements is also shown.