Abstract
We comprehensively analyze the performance of a type of optical rotation (OR) polarimeter, which has been designed from the outset to fit the special requirements of two major applications: general chiral detection during the separation of optical isomers by high-pressure liquid chromatography systems in the pharmaceutical industry, and monitoring of glucose in the interstitial fluid of diabetics by a fully implanted long-term optical sensor. Both very demanding applications call for an OR polarimeter that can be miniaturized while maintaining high resolution and accuracy in the microdegree range in the face of considerable noise from various sources. These two characteristics—miniature size and immunity to noise—set this polarimeter apart from the traditional OR polarimeters currently in use, which are both bulky and very susceptible to noise. The following detailed analysis demonstrates the advantages of this polarimeter and its potential as an analytic and diagnostic tool.
Highlights
Optical rotation (OR) polarimeters are valuable tools for measuring the concentration of optically active substances in a solution
High-end, very sensitive polarimeters can be found mainly in the pharmaceutical industry.[1]. These sophisticated polarimeters are used for the detection of chiral molecules (a.k.a. optical isomers or enantiomers) as they are separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems during the process of drug manufacturing, where in many cases the complete separation of the active chiral isomer of a drug from its counterpart is required by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA).[2,3]
We have recently described a type of high-resolution OR polarimeter,[22] which we believe can overcome the shortcomings of similar Faraday rotation (FR) and optical heterodyne (OH) polarimeters
Summary
Optical rotation (OR) polarimeters are valuable tools for measuring the concentration of optically active substances in a solution. Intracavity OR polarimetry is a third, less explored method to measure OR with increased sensitivity.[18,19,20] Bougas et al.[18] have recently described a chiral cavity ring down (CCRD) polarimeter, which uses an intracavity modulated Faraday rotator to overcome the depolarizing effect of linear birefringence and translates optical rotation into a proportional frequency change. We have recently described a type of high-resolution OR polarimeter,[22] which we believe can overcome the shortcomings of similar FR and OH polarimeters It uses a built-in reference mechanism that compensates for polarization noises, as well as a simple gain mechanism that contributes to LOD reduction. This optical configuration is amenable for miniaturization, possibly to the size of modern pacemakers.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
