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Schambeck SFD GmbH
Refractive Index Detector RI2000
SFD101.01.3x.EN / 2014-07-10
19
http://www.schambeck-sfd.com
12
P
RINCIPLE OF
D
ETECTION
The RI2000 refractive index detector acts as a differential refractometer which measures
the deflection of a light beam as a result of different refractive indices of solutions in the
reference and the sample chamber of the flow cell.
The beam of a tungsten lamp passes a convex lens and two slip apertures (slit aperture 1
and slit aperture 2) before reaching a second convex lens. After this the light passes the
flow cell which is diagonally separated into two chambers (sample and reference chamber).
Behind the flow cell a mirror is placed which reflects the beam through the flow cell, the
second convex lens and the second slit aperture (slit aperture 2) toward a light sensor.
The light sensor is placed under the light source and consists of two photo diodes. The both
diodes generate a current which is proportional to the light
intensity reaching the sensor’s
surface.
12.1 T
HE
O
PTICAL
S
YSTEM OF THE
RI2000