Essential Oils Polarimeter|AUTOPOL®IV
for Chemical and Pharmaceutical Labs
The AUTOPOL IV Automatic Polarimeter is available in one, two and six wavelength versions. It has a more expensive optical system than the Autopol III. It is the system of choice for research universities, pharmaceutical and fine chemical research departments. This instrument is also excellent for studying racemics and kinetics. Temperature control is done using the patented Rudolph TempTrol™ system. IQOQ documentation is included with the instrument.
The AUTOPOL IV Laboratory Polarimeter can readout directly in one of four measurement modes: Optical Rotation, Specific Rotation, Concentration or Specific Rotation Plus. Specific Rotation Plus allows a correction to be applied to a result for loss on drying. Each measurement mode can be activated via touchscreen selection. Sample tubes can be specified at any length (e.g. 50mm, l00mm, 200mm), or entered as a precise dimension (e.g., 199.98mm). Concentration is entered as a percentage.


Key Features
- Measures Optical Rotation, Specific Rotation, Concentration, and User Defined Scales.
- Temptrol™ Electronic Heating and Cooling.
- 1, 2 and 6 wavelength models.
- Temperature Correction.
- Real-time clock.
- Print-out format control.
- Designed for use in Pharmaceutical, University, Essential Oil as well as related industries.
Specifications
Measuring Mode | Optical Rotation Specific Rotation Specific Rotation Plus Concentration User Defined Scale Sugar Degrees °Z(ISS) |
---|---|
Measuring Scale | Degrees Arc Optical Rotation |
Resolution | 0.001° Arc Optical Rotation 0.001% Concentration 0.001 Specific Rotation |
Accuracy | 0.002° up to 1°, 0.2% up to 5°, 0.01° above 5° |
AP Accuracy Option | Autopol IV Single ±0.002° Arc Optical Rotation Autopol IV Dual ±0.002° Arc Optical Rotation Autopol IV Six Wavelength Accuracy (546nm and 589nm): ±0.002° Arc Optical Rotation |
AP Resolution Option | Selectable Resolution: 0.01, 0.001, 0.0001° Arc |
Reproducibility | 0.002° Arc Optical Rotation |
Measuring Range | ± 89° Arc Optical Rotation, ± 999.99 Specific Rotation, 0-99.9% Concentration |
Prism | Glan Thompson Calcite |
Optical Wavelengths | 365nm, 405nm, 436nm, 546nm, 589nm, 633nm |
Wavelength Selection | Touchscreen Selectable: 1, 2 and 6 |
21 CFR Part 11 Compliant Software | Yes with optional PC software |
Temperature Control | By external water bath (Standard) TempTrol™ Automatic Electronic Heating & Cooling 15° – 40°C ±0.2° (Optional) |
TempTrol™ Accuracy | ±0.2°C (optional) |
Temp. Probe Range | 10°-100°C |
Temp. Probe Accuracy | ±0.1°C |
Measurement Time | 4°/sec slewing rate & 5 sec nominal settling time |
Light Source | Tungsten-Halogen 6V, 20W, Avg. 2,000 hr. life |
Sample Chamber | Accepts sample tubes up to 200mm |
Data Storage | 32 GB Non-removable Compact Flash |
Communication Interface | 3 – USB Ports, 1-USB 3.0, 2-RS232 Ports, Ethernet Port for Network Connection |
Calibration | Automatic calibration via touchscreen |
Operating System | Windows Embedded |
Display | 8 inch Color, 800 x 600 pixel resolution with 400 nits of brightness. |
User Interface | Touchscreen |
Automatic Sensitivity Control | Measures samples with transmittance as low as 0.01% (up to O.D. 4.0) |
Input Power | 100 – 240V, 50/60Hz |
Operating Dimensions | 30″W x 11.5″H x 17″D, 762mm W x 431.8mm H x 279.4mm D |
Shipping Dimensions | 42″W x 24″H x 21″D, 1066.8mm W x 609.6mm H x 533.4mm D |
Operating Weight | 85 lbs (39 kg) |
Operating Weight | 85 lbs (39 kg) |
Shipping Weight | 115 lbs (52.1 kg) |
Temperature Compensation | Temperature of the sample can be corrected to a reference temperature |
Calendar/Clock | Battery-backed clock. Time and date sent to computer and printer |
Overview
Why are high-quality
polarizing prisms important?
Rudolph manufactures its entry-level automatic polarimeter with the same high-quality optics as its more expensive instruments.
While other manufacturers in this price range use Polaroid Plastic Dichroic Sheet Polarizers, Rudolph does not. Instead, Rudolph uses the same high-quality Glan Thompson Calcite Polarizers used in its high-accuracy models.

Because prisms are two of the most critical optical components in the polarimeter. Polaroid prisms are made of a polymeric plastic where the molecules are stretched and oriented in a specific direction so as to linearly polarize light. These types of plastic sheet polarizers are very inexpensive ($50.00 USD) and are vulnerable to heat, warp over time, deteriorate from moisture, and also have greater light absorption than Calcite Polarizers.
In many cases, the plastic polarizers must be replaced in 3- 5 years. Glan Thompson Calcite Polarizers are comprised of a carbon crystalline structure similar to diamond and have excellent light transmission characteristics. The quality of these prisms is so good, Rudolph guarantees its prisms over the life of the sugar polarimeter.
Full Compliance
21CFR Part 11
The Autopol® V 21CFR Part 11 software module is easily enabled through the user-friendly touch screen. This module gives you full compliance with:
- Electronic signature
- Access levels
- Internal write-protected storage
- Unique passwords
- Write protected documents sent directly to server
- Audit trail
Multiple
Wavelengths
The AUTOPOL® IV Automatic Polarimeter comes in single, dual and six wavelength models. Wavelength selection is completely automatic and is accomplished via menu selection. There are no lamps or filters to manually remove or insert. The following wavelengths are available: 365nm, 405nm, 436nm, 546nm, 589nm and 633nm. Optional wavelengths include: 578nm, 880nm and various other wavelengths are available; contact the factory for more information.
Temperature
Display and Correction
The AUTOPOL® IV Automatic Essential Oils Polarimeter comes standard with a temperature probe which can be inserted into the Polarimeter cell as shown to the left. The temperature of either the sample compartment or the solution itself can be continuously displayed.

Print Format
Format
Numerous parameters, such as sample name, tube length, concentration, wavelength, time and date, temperature correction and statistics can be printed after each polarimeter measurement or after a group of measurements. This is accomplished by designating the required parameters, via menu entry, during the print format setup mode. A sample printout is shown below.

Print your customized Certificate of Analysis including your company logo directly from the Autopol IV touch screen

Capable of making multiple measurements on a single sample and reporting complete statistical data and all measurement results
Essential Oils Polarimeter
Statistics
AUTOPOL® IV calculates the mean, the standard deviation and records the minimum and maximum readings for up to 999 measurements Measured data for statistical calculation can be printed in either one of two ways: automatically, at predetermined time intervals or manually, by pressing the print key. Statistics for a batch of samples can be accomplished by pressing the page feed key. Statistics on time varying optically active samples can be compiled by measuring a sample at a predetermined rate and for a predetermined number of measurements.
The Rudolph
FillStationTM

Many users prefer to load cells with samples outside of the Polarimeter. When this fits with your workflow, Rudolph has engineered a tool to assist you, the Rudolph Polarimeter FillStationTM. Designed to sit on your laboratory bench or under your fume hood and assist you in loading your Rudolph Polarimeter cell easily and reliably, the FillStationTM holds the cell at the right angle, so you always fill the cell from bottom to top. Using a syringe, you inject the sample until it begins to appear at the top port. Once filled, the monitoring light will become bright, and you know you have a full cell free of air bubbles that is ready for measurement. Cap, the Top Cell Port, remove the syringe, cap the Lower Port and go!
- The cell is held at the right angle and filled from the bottom just the way Rudolph cells were designed to be filled. Perfect every time.
- Filling from the bottom to top moves any air with the potential to cause a bubble up and out of the cell.
- Once you see the monitoring light go to bright there is no question that the cell is properly filled.
- Verification of air free sample loading for even inexperienced operators.
- Helps eliminate contact with acids, bases, or any sample the user does not want to come in contact with.
- Less experienced operators can learn to reliably fill cells with minimal training.