Testa Analytical Solutions e.K. has added the AYE Differential Refractometer to its existing line of high-performance instruments

Density meters and refractometers continue to evolve to suit researchers’ ever-expanding needs

Many factors can negatively affect accuracy in refractometry; the secret is to eliminate them

A material’s refractive index—essentially how much it bends lights—can be used to describe the material and its use.

Refractometer manufacturers quote accuracy and reproducibility to the fourth, fifth, and sometimes even the sixth decimal places. A good manufacturer will only advertise this level of accuracy after carefully running standards.

Refractometry is thought to be a limited analytical technique that works best with binary solutions—for example, salt or sugar solutions—where it excels at precise concentration measurements.

Refractometers come in all sizes, shapes, capabilities, and prices. Some readers may recognize refractometry as a “high school” analysis method or a specialized technique for measuring specific analytes like sugar in water. Increasingly, lab and process engineers employ refractometry to provide quick measures of key quality attributes that under normal circumstances would require much lengthier assays on significantly more expensive equipment.