Modeling of the rotation of polarization in polymers using an inhomogeneous birefringence model

Polymers exhibiting a weak birefringence mostly posses optical properties which are predicted well by conventional models for birefringence. However, the rotation of polarization behavior was found to disagree with these models. This deviation has been overlooked in usual measurements characterizing birefringence in polymers. In order to accurately predict the rotation of polarization, we propose a model which includes a birefringence inhomogeneity. The model is shown to be related to the birefringence-induced optical activity. The model predictions are shown to agree well with experimental results using a parallel laser beam. Practical implications with respect to unusually high low-frequency noise of magneto-optical disks are discussed briefly.