Dynamo-optical effect in homogeneous newtonian fluids

It is experimentally found that homogeneous polar fluids (water, glycerol, ethanol, etc.) become optically anisotropic under shear. As a result, the permittivity, which is a macroscopic characteristic of a fluid, becomes anisotropic as well. Results obtained indicate that quiescent polar fluids have signs of an ordered structure, which readily disappears under weak shear stresses and then relaxes to the initial state for several hours (depending on the fluid temperature).