Method and apparatus for determining concentration using polarized light
An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid includes a first polarizer configure to polarize light in substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light. A second polarizer is capable of polarizing the initially polarized light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light. One or more receivers are included for measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes.
1. An apparatus for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid comprising:
a first polarizer configured to polarize light substantially in a first plane;
a second polarizer configured to polarize light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, wherein the second polarizer includes a polarizer array including one or more polarizing elements, each of the one or more polarizing elements configured to polarize light substantially in a respective single plane, each of the respective single planes being different from one or more of the other of the respective single planes;
a fluid chamber, at least a portion of the fluid chamber at least partially disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, the fluid chamber configured to retain a volume of fluid; and
at least one receiver capable of measuring an intensity of incident light transmitted through the first polarizer and through the second polarizer, wherein the concentration of chiral molecules in the volume of fluid is determined using the intensity of incident light transmitted through the first polarizer and through the second polarizer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a light source capable of providing light incident upon the first polarizer, the light incident upon the first polarizer being substantially randomly polarized.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the fluid chamber includes an at least partially transparent fluid line configured to allow a fluid containing a concentration of chiral molecules to flow through the fluid chamber.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second polarizer includes a gradient polarizer configured to polarize light in a plurality of different planes.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one receiver includes a linear receiver array.