What Does A Optical Refractometer Do And How Does It Work?

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Update time : 2016-04-20 11:44:15

What Does A Optical Refractometer Do And How Does It Work?


  As previously stated, a refractometer allows the winemaker to figure the percentage Brix (the relative "sugar weight" of a sample compared to distilled water) of the juice of grapes or other fresh fruit. Brix is sometimes referred to as Balling - don't worry, the terms are interchangeable. Depending upon the readings observed, a winemaker can monitor the progress of ripening and adjust his/her plans for harvest, if necessary.


   In simplest terms, the refractometer works much like a prism. Remember how, as a child, you could use a prism to separate out the different wavelengths of light (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) when a source of light was shone on the prism at the correct angle? Well, the modern refractometer works on the same principle - it reacts differently to light (by giving a reading on a scale) depending upon the amount of sugar that is available in the liquid sample held between the daylight plate and the main prism assembly.


RHB-92T Honey Refractometer Scale: