Polarization Scrambling by Optical Windows Used for Light Scattering Experiments at High Pressures

Polarization scrambling by high pressure cell windows as a function of pressure up to 2 kbar has been measured for two window materials and two sizes of plug apertures. Measured scrambling was about 1% for quartz, 0.5% for float glass, and decreased with decreasing aperture size. The amount of scrambling decreased significantly with time when the cell was left pressurized. A qualitative explanation of the results, based on changes in the P 44 Pockets coefficient with pressure is given.