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Polarimeters
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AUTOPOL II Polarimeter
The AUTOPOL II is designed as a general purpose automatic polarimeter for budget focused Contract Laboratories, Food Laboratories and College Chemistry Laboratories.
Quality
Rudolph manufactures its entry-level polarimeter with the same high quality optics as its more expensive instruments. While other manufacturers in this price range use Polaroid Plastic Dichroic Sheet Polarizers, Rudolph does not. Instead, Rudolph uses the same high quality Glan Thompson Calcite Polarizers used in its high accuracy models (Figure A).
Why are high quality polarizing prisms important? Because prisms are two of the most critical optical components in the polarimeter. Polaroid prisms are made of a polymeric plastic where the molecules are stretched and oriented in a specific direction so as to linearly polarize light. These types of plastic sheet polarizers are very inexpensive ($50.00 USD) and are vulnerable to heat, warp over time, deteriorate from moisture, and also have greater light absorption than Calcite Polarizers. In many cases, the plastic polarizers must be replaced in 3 - 5 years. Glan Thompson Calcite Polarizers are comprised of a carbon crystalline structure similar to diamond and have excellent light transmission characteristics. The quality of these prisms is so good, Rudolph guarantees its prisms over the life of the polarimeter.
Temperature
As shown in Figure B, the Autopol II comes with a Temperature Probe so that sample temperature can be displayed and printed. However, if your product requires Temperature Control, then the Autopol II will most likely not be accurate enough for this type of sample, as is the case for 98% of pharmaceutical applications where a Certificate of Analysis must be issued.
Wavelengths and Accessories
The Autopol II comes with two built-in wavelengths that are selectable via the touch screen: 589nm (often referred to as the Sodium D-Line) and 546nm. The Autopol II also includes the Standard Accessories Package shown in Figure C or you can upgrade to the Calibration Package shown in Figure D.
