refractometer

Any of several instruments used to measure the index of refraction of a substance.

Instrument to measure the refractive index.

[ree-frak-TOM-ih-tuhr] An instrument used in winemaking to measure the sugar content of grapes and must. A refractometer, which can be used right in the vineyard, works by placing a drop of juice between the refractometer's prisms and reading the angle at which the light bends. The angle will vary depending on the juice's sugar content. This refractometer reading is described in terms of brix in the United States, baumé in France, and oechsle in Germany.

1. an instrument for measuring the refractive power of the eye.
2. an instrument for determining the indexes of refraction of various substances.
3. an instrument for measuring the concentration of solutes, e.g. protein in solutions, immunoglobulins in serum.

Some of types of refractometers

A refractometer is a laboratory or field device for the measurement of an index of refraction. The index of refraction is calculated from Snell's law and can be calculated from the composition of the material using the Gladstone-Dale relation.

Contents 1 Types of refractometers 2 See also 3 Further reading 4 External links

Types of refractometers

There are four main types of refractometers: traditional handheld refractometers, digital handheld refractometers, laboratory or Abbe refractometers, and inline process refractometers. There is also the Rayleigh Refractometer used (typically) for measuring the refractive indices of gases.

In veterinary medicine, a refractometer is used to measure the total plasma protein in a blood sample and urine specific gravity.

See also

• Ernst Abbe

Further reading

• Sella, Andrea (November 2008). "Abbé's refractometer". Chemistry World: 67. http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Issues/2008/November/AbbesRefractometer.asp. 

External links

• Refractometer - Gemstone Buzz uses, procedure & limitations.
• Rayleigh Refractometer: Operational Principles

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