New Method of Measuring Linear Dichroism in the Ultraviolet: Application to Helical Polymers

A new method of measuring linear dichroism is described wherein the determination is carried out with a single spectral run without moving either sample or polarizer. It makes possible, for the first time, reliable quantitative measurements of dichroism. As examples, spectra (down to 180 mμ) of dichroic films of poly-L-lysine and of deoxyribonucleic acid are presented.