Differential refractometer
They are considered to be universal detectors because they can detect anything with a refractive index different from the solvent, but they have low sensitivity.
Popular models include: All refractive index detectors require calibration upon first setting up the instrument as well as periodic quality control.
[12] Once the instrument is in calibration mode, the pure water acts as a zero baseline reading, while the sucrose solution compares its known RI to the output, and the machine is adjusted accordingly.
[14] Since differential refractometer is an external tool,[15][16] the solvent viscosity does not pose a physical barrier to measurement, making them universal detectors.
The use of and results from differential refractometers are valuable in numerous fields of science, with its theory and function applied in various research directions, including drug analysis[23] and nanoparticle tracking.
[24] The nature of refractive indexes allows RIDs to be used in conjunction with additional analytical chemistry instruments.
Following the use of other machines, differential refractometers can immediately (further) characterize compounds eluting from chromatographers, spectrometers, and detectors, including:
