Principles of Polarimetry

Polarimetry measures the rotation of polarized light as it passes through an optically active fluid.
The measured rotation can be used to calculate the value of solution concentrations; especially
substances such as sugars, peptides and volatile oils. A polarimeter consists of a polarized light
source, an analyzer, a graduated circle to measure the rotation angle, and sample tubes.

The polarized light passes through the sample tube and exhibits angular rotation to the left (-) or
right ( ). On the side opposite the polarizer is the analyzer. Using optics, visual fields are manually
adjusted by the user to measure the optical rotation angle.

Polarimeters offer high accuracies where precision is critical in determining the concentration of
samples. offers manual polarimeters where you look through a viewing scope to read values on a
vernier scale, and semiautomatic polarimeters that have a digital display. Polarimeters can
measure in angle of rotation (¡), International Sugar Scale (°Z), or both.

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Principles of Polarimeter
Polarimetry measures the rotation of polarized light as it passes through an optically active fluid.
The measured rotation can be used to calculate the value of solution concentrations; especially
substances such as sugars, peptides and volatile oils. A polarimeter consists of a polarized light
source, an analyzer, a graduated circle to measure the rotation angle, and sample tubes.

The polarized light passes through the sample tube and exhibits angular rotation to the left (-) or
right (+). On the side opposite the polarizer is the analyzer. Using optics, visual fields are
manually adjusted by the user to measure the optical rotation angle.

Polarimeters offer high accuracies where precision is critical in determining the concentration of
samples. Cole-Parmer offers manual polarimeters where you look through a viewing scope to
read values on a vernier scale, and semiautomatic polarimeters that have a digital display.
Polarimeters can measure in angle of rotation (¡), International Sugar Scale (°Z), or both.

First Polarimeter

Polarimetry Fundamentals

Polarimetry is a sensitive, nondestructive technique for measuring the optical activity exhibited
by inorganic and organic compounds. A compound is considered to be optically active if linearly
polarized light is rotated when passing through it. The amount of optical rotation is determined
by the molecular structure and concentration of chiral molecules in the substance. Each optically
active substance has its own specific rotation as defined in Biots law:

Biots Law

[α] = specific rotation, T = temperature,

λ = wavelength, α = optical rotation,

c = concentration in g/100ml, l = optical path length in dm.

Historically, polarimetry was performed using an instrument where the extent of optical rotation
is estimated by visual matching of the intensity of split fields. For this reason, the D-line of the
sodium lamp at the visible wavelength of 589nm was most often employed. Specific rotation
determined at the D-line is expressed by the symbol:

Formula: [α]{25}[D] or Formula [α]{20}[D],)

and much of the data available are expressed in this form. Use of lower wavelengths, such as
those available with the mercury lamp lines isolated by means of filters of maximum
transmittance at approximately 578, 546, 436, 405, and 365nm in a photoelectric polarimeter,
have been found to provide advantages in sensitivity with a consequent reduction in the
concentration of the test compound. In general, the observed optical rotation at 436nm is about
double and at 365nm about three times that at 589nm. Reduction in the concentration of the
solute required for measurement may sometimes be accomplished by conversion of the
substance under test to one that has a significantly higher optical rotation. Optical rotation is
also affected by the solvent used for the measurement, and this is always specified.

It is not common practice to use other light sources, such as xenon or tungsten halogen, with
appropriate filters, because these may offer advantages of cost, long life, and broad wavelength
emission range over traditional light sources

Calibration of Polarimeter
Method:-Normal sucrose solution prepared from exactly 26.00g of sucrose dissolved in pure
water to 100cm3.At 20 digree and sodium lamp rotation for this solution in a tube of 200 mm
will be.

A=+34.625 digree the ISS is linearly divided i.e. a rotion o +17.313digree (13g/100cm3)equal to a
reading of 50.00Z .

Mainly : The 0 0Z point in ISS is fixed by the indication given by the saccharimeter for pure

water.

Normal Sucrose Solution was used to calibrate and standardize polarimetric

methods and instruments.

Main Reasons to use sucrose solutions :

1. Very Easily prepared

2. Has a fixed rotation value which can calibrated with 10%, 20% and 30% sugar value, and
remains constant for those concentration for a little time only, upto that we can have a very
sharp reading calibration of pure sugar.

3. Mainly polarimeter is used sucrose quality detection for calibration with pure sucrose is the
best deal.

4. Its shows almost no Muta rotation.

5. And last and final…Its most cheap to figure out and get the calibration done.

Application for Polarimeter:-

Sugar Industry

Pharmaceutical Industry

Chemical Industry

Flavours, Fragrances and Essential Oils

Starch

Food and Drink

Agriculture

Aminoacids

Monosodium Glutamate

What are the advantages of automatic laboratory polarimeters?

Polarimetry is a powerful technique for the analysis of optically-active fluids such as sugars, lactic
acid, tartaric acid, and biologically-active substances. The method provides valuable information
on the chemical structure, chirality, and concentration of a sample by measuring the angle
through which a ray of polarised light is diverted.

In a traditional manual polarimeter, this requires a skilled operator and takes a variable length of
time. A modern automatic polarimeter, on the other hand, makes the process much quicker – an
accurate reading is provided in just one second. Operator-induced errors are eliminated and
measurement consistency is greatly improved – an important consideration for regulated
laboratories. Touchscreen controls and a clear digital readout make the analysis fast, clean, and
reliable. Automatic polarimetry is compatible with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and US FDA
21 CFR part 11.

The increased speed means that lab productivity is greatly improved, and the investment in an
automated instrument pays real dividends. Manual polarimetry still has its place, for low-
throughput labs and for training, but for many modern industries such as pharmaceutical,
chemical, sugar, and food processing, an automatic polarimeter is the better choice.