The Rudolph Research Analyical - Autopol 2 Automatic Polarimeter

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 Polarisers, Rudolph does not. Instead, Rudolph uses the same high quality Glan Thompson Calcite Polarisers used in its high accuracy models. (Figure A)

Why are high quality polarising 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 polarise light. These types of plastic sheet polarisers are very inexpensive and are vulnerable to heat, warp over time, deteriorate from moisture, and also have greater light absorption than Calcite Polarisers. In many cases, the plastic polarisers must be replaced in 3 – 5 years. Glan Thompson Calcite Polarisers 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.

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.