Absorption Statistics in Linear Dichroism

Attention is called to an artifact in linear dichroism (LD), so called absorption statistics, which leads to reduced LD intensity in regions of high absorption. The reduction factor is larger than that governing the corresponding reduction in absorption, when LD is measured by using a Legrand-Grosjean circular dichroism spectrophotometer. In the case of infinite fibres at perfect order it coincides with the absorption statistical reduction factor of optical activity. The artifact was observed for β-carothene solubilized in lecithin liposomes oriented at flow.