Digital Refractometer for Refractive Index and Brix

This Hanna Instruments digital refractometer measures refractive index directly, alongside the Brix scale.

Why it is measured

Refractive index is the underlying physical property; every other scale is a conversion from it for one particular substance. Reading it raw lets the instrument be used on anything, including materials no sugar scale was ever written for.

Where it is used

• general laboratory work
• chemical identification
• research and teaching
• quality control of solutions

How a refractometer works

Light bends by a different amount depending on how much is dissolved in a liquid. A refractometer measures that bend and converts it to a concentration scale. It needs one or two drops, gives an answer in seconds, and has no reagents and nothing to consume.

A digital instrument compensates for temperature automatically, which is the difference that matters: refractive index shifts with temperature enough that an uncompensated reading in a warm room is simply wrong.

Practical note

Refractive index is strongly temperature dependent; quote the temperature with the value or the number means little.

Supplied as one model.