photoelastic modulators

Polarimetry: Optical Rotation

A P P L I C AT I O N N O T E

By Dr. Theodore (Ted) Oakberg on Dec. 13, 2004

Rev. by Dr. Baoliang (Bob) Wang on Jan. 18, 2010 One simple setup using a PEM for measuring optical rotation is
shown in Figure 1.

PEM 1f Reference
Computer
When linear polarized light passes through an “optically V

active” or “chiral” material, a rotation of the plane of

Lock-in
polarization of the light may occur. This phenomenon is called AC DC

Optical Rotation. The measurement of optical rotation of a Light Source Detector

sample is called “Polarimetry” by chemists.1 Optically active

0° Sample 0° 45° Signal
materials include chiral organic molecules such as dextrose Polarizer PEM Polarizer Conditioning Unit

and crystals with asymmetric structures such as quartz. Figure 1. Optical Bench Set-up for Measurement of Optical Rotation

Optical rotation can be interpreted by physicists as the

result of circular birefringence. Circular birefringence is the
If the light source is a laser, the optical setup is particularly
difference in refractive indices for right and left circularly
simple since no collimating and focusing lenses are required.
polarized light. Linearly polarized light can be represented by
The first polarizer after the light source should be mounted in
the linear combination of right and left circularly polarized light.
a precision rotator to allow precise alignment with the PEM
When a linearly polarized light beam enters an optically active
retardation axis. For this configuration (with no sample in place)
sample, the circular birefringence of the sample produces
there is no AC signal at the detector but there is a DC signal.
a relative phase shift between the right and left circularly
When a sample is inserted and a rotation occurs, a signal at
polarized components. The net phase shift integrated along
twice the PEM frequency (2f) will appear at the detector. This
the pathlength inside the sample is called circular retardation
signal is used to measure optical rotation of the sample.
or circular retardance. When the light beam exits the sample,
the circular retardation produces a rotation of the plane of
Theoretically, the signal reaching the detector may be derived
linear polarization (optical rotation). Circular birefringence,
using Mueller calculus. The Mueller matrix for a sample with an
circular retardation, circular retardance and optical rotation are
optical rotation of  (radians or degrees) is:
sometimes loosely used interchangeably. However, optical
rotation () is different in value from circular retardation (C =
§1 0 0 0·
2) by a factor of 2.

¨ ¸
0 cos(2Į) sin(2Į) 0
0 -sin(2Į) cos(2Į) 0
The simplest optical rotation polarimeter is constructed
by using a polarizer and a crossed analyzer. The optical ©0 0 0 1¹

rotation is the angular difference in the null positions on the

Using Mueller calculus, we derive the signal at the detector to
analyzer with and without a chiral sample. Simple optical
be:
rotation polarimeters have been used in the sugar industry for
nearly two centuries. In a modern polarimeter, a polarization I(t) = 1 [1– sin(2Į)cos¨t]
2 (1)
modulator, such as the photoelastic moduator (PEM)
produced by Hinds Instruments, is employed to provide high
measurement sensitivity.

1
Other measurement processes called “Polarimetry”, such as Stokes polarimetry and Mueller polarimetry, are addressed in separate notes.

Technology for Polarization Measurement 1

photoelastic modulators

Polarimetry: Optical Rotation

A P P L I C AT I O N N O T E

When we express the time varying retardation of the PEM, rotation in Equation 5.
t = Acos(2πft), in terms of Bessel functions, we rewrite the
Vrms
2f V /¥2
detector signal as: R2f = = 2f = ¥2J2(A = 2.405)sin(2Į) (5)
VDC VDC
1
I(t) = [1 – J0 (A)sin(2Į) (2)
2 The factor √2 converts between the lock-in rms voltage and
+2J2(A)cos(2ʌIW)sin(2Į)+higher_terms] peak voltage. R2f is insensitive to fluctuations in the light source,
where A = PEM peak retardation in radians, changes in optical transmission, etc.

f = PEM frequency, and

J0 and J2 are Bessel functions of the PEM peak The optical rotation  is given by Equation 6.

retardation A

The first two terms in the square brackets are the “DC” term Į(radians) = 1 -1
[
R2f
2 sin ¥2J (A = 2.405)
2
] (6)

and the third term is the “AC” term which is at 2f, twice the
PEM frequency. VDC or the DC term is given by Equation 3.

For A = 2.405 radians, J2 = 0.4318, and  ≤ 15°, putting

VDC = K [1– J0(A)sin(2Į)] (3)
2 numerical values in and converting the expression to degrees, a
practical formula for  is given in Equation 7.
where K is an experimental constant of proportionality.
Į(degrees) = 46.91R2f (7)
V2f, the amplitude (Not rms value) of the AC signal at 2f is given
by Equation 4
The small angle approximation used in calculating optical
rotation in Equation 7 is accurate to within about 1% in the
V2f = KJ2(A)sin(2Į) (4)
range of 0° to 15°. Equation 6 can be used for more accurate
calculation.
where K is the same experimental constant that is in Equation
3.
Finally, there is a well established sign convention for optical
rotation of chiral materials. When building a polarimeter, one
For an optimum setup, the PEM retardation is chosen to be A
should use a known sample to calibrate both the sign and
= 0.383 waves = 2.405 radians. For this retardation, J0(A) = 0
accuracy of the polarimeter. The sign of the measured optical
and the DC term is independent of the optical rotation.
rotation depends on lock-in phase setting, PEM phase property,
polarizer orientations (0° vs. 90°, 45° vs. 135°) and other
Experimentally, the signal conditioner splits both an AC signal
parameters. All of these factors are addressed and incorporated
and a DC signal from the detector output. The lock-in amplifier
into systems designed and configured by Hinds Instruments.
measures the rms value of V2f and many lock-ins can also
However, when building a polarimeter from components, a
measure VDC. The computer reads both values through the
researcher must pay special attention to these factors as a part
RS232 interface with the lock-in.
of instrument calibration.

The ratio of measured AC and DC signals is related to optical

Hinds Instruments, Inc | 7245 NE Evergreen Pkwy | Hillsboro, OR 97124 | USA

T: 503.690.2000 | Fax: 503.690.3000 | sales@[Link]
PEMLabs is a Trademark of Hinds Instruments, Inc. Manufactured in USA
Technology for Polarization Measurement 2
© 2000, 2019 Hinds Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA

[Link]