Application of refractive index
One of a substance's physicochemical characteristics is its refractive index, often
known as its index of refraction (n D) (optical medium). According to the following
equation, it is equal to a certain wavelength of light's velocity (c) in a vacuum divided
by its velocity (v) in a substance:
c
nD=
υ
The refractive indices of two materials determine how light will bend when travelling
at an angle between them. Light must be on the larger side of the critical angle in
order to reflect.
We can learn about the behaviour of light from the refractive index. Light's velocity is
reduced as it travels through various materials due to an increase in their refractive
indices. It might result from interactions between substrate component molecules and
the impact of such interactions on light. Additionally, as the temperature rises, the
refractive index drops in the majority of substrates. As the temperature rises, the
contact between molecules reduces.
Refractometers are used to test the refractive indices of various substrates.
Refractometers come in four different varieties: laboratory or Abbe refractometers,
inline process refractometers, classic handheld refractometers, and digital handheld
refractometers. The Rayleigh Refractometer is another option for determining the
refractive indices of gases. Even though many equipments are adjusted for usage in
daylight, a sodium lamp may be used to supply the light source at a known
wavelength (589.6 nm).
The refractive index is positive (greater than zero) in the majority of substrates, but
Veselago demonstrated in 1968 that some substrates have negative permittivity and
negative permeability. Refractive indices in these substrates are negative. Following
are Maxwell's equations that link permittivity and permeability to refractive index;
n=± √ εμ
The index's indication is frequently interpreted as positive. However, Veselago shown
that this convention must be reversed and we must choose the negative sign of the
square root if a substrate has both negative permeability and negative permittivity.
There are several applications for the refractive index.
The quality and concentration of liquid, semi-liquid, and solid sample are
evaluated using the refractive index. Gases' refractive index values are also able
to calculated. Liquid and semi-liquid samples could be determined with great
accuracy (e.g., down to -/+ 0.00002) using a digital refractometer. For precise
refractive index measurement, specialist equipment or accessories are needed for
gas and solid samples.
Additionally, the correlation between the index of refraction and a broad range of
concentrations can be utilized to characterise a variety of samples in a variety of
sectors and applications, including:
Food industry, agriculture and crop production
i. Before harvesting, ripening of fruits, sugar cane, vegetables and beet is evaluated
using refractometers to determine the maturity index. In vineyards, this is
primarily utilised for grapes. It quantifies the fruit's sugar content in degrees Brix.
If a liquid possesses the same refractive index as a solution of 1g of sucrose in
100g of sucrose water solution, it is said to have one degree Brix (=1% Brix).
ii. During the fermentation process in breweries, they are used to assess the alcohol
content in wine and beer. Special refractometers with scales calibrated to directly
indicate alcohol content are available for this use.
iii. Specialized refractometers that directly measure the water content in honey can
be used to assess the quality of the honey. Reduced water level in honey is
preferred as it promotes a longer product shelf life. Wild yeasts start to ferment
the water if the percentage is high (>20%). Beekeepers favour this particular
refractometer.
iv. The food industry uses the salinity metre to determine how much salt is present in
condiments like soy sauce, ketchup, and mayonnaise as well as in the brine
solution used in canning.
v. By determining the total solids in yogurt, milk, fruit extract, jam, syrup,
chocolate, coffee extract, baby food, etc. during processing, refractometers are
applied to monitor and manage the quality of these products.
vi. Indicators of purity include the refractive index for goods like animal fats and
vegetable oils. The purification of the product can be determined by comparing
the values to the standard.
vii. A pure substance's refractive index can be used to identify it because it is constant
at the same temperature and pressure.
Chemical
Determining the acid/base concentration, the presence of organic solvent and
inorganic salt in % w/w or v/v, or the freezing point (0C or 0F).
Pharma
calculating the quantities of various compounds in human urine, calculating the
percentages of hydrogen peroxide or methanol, etc.
It is used to determine the dispersive power of prisms and the focusing power of
lenses. Additionally, it is used to estimate the thermophysical characteristics of
mixes of hydrocarbons and petroleum.
Additionally, for some purposes, combining a density measurement with a refractive
index measurement results in a straightforward yet effective quality control method.
These decisions can be made entirely automatically.
