Patent ID: 7502111
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting an angle of optical rotation of a chiral sample, comprising the steps of: generating an input light beam from a light source; polarizing the input light beam to obtain a beam of linearly polarized light; modulating the beam of linearly polarized light such that it is at least substantially near the midpoint of optical transmission to produce a modulated beam; transmitting the modulated beam through a sample solution to yield a signal beam; splitting the signal beam into a first polarized signal beam and a second polarized signal beam, the second polarized signal beam being orthogonal to the first polarized signal beam; measuring the light intensity of the first polarized signal beam and the second polarized signal beam; converting the light intensity of the first polarized signal beam and the second polarized signal beam into a first signal voltage or current and a second signal voltage or current; and subtracting the second signal voltage or current from the first signal voltage or current to obtain an output signal voltage or current corresponding to twice the angle of optical rotation for the chiral sample.