The Abbe 5 is an affordable refractometer ideally suited for use where a wide measurement range of Refractive Index is required, such as in smaller contract laboratories or applications where sample throughput is relatively low. The instrument is also perfect for practical demonstrations and experiments in chemistry and physics laboratories of schools, colleges and universities.
The Abbe 5 features both Refractive Index and Brix scales, with the prism temperature monitored electronically and displayed on the clear digital display. Connections for a waterbath provide optional prism temperature control, facilitating accurate readings to 4 decimal places RI (1 decimal Brix). Dispersion measurements of solids materials such as glass, contact lenses and fibre optics may be made in accordance with standard practice.
Abbe 5 refractometers may be used in either transmission mode, where light passes through the illuminating upper prism through the sample or reflective mode, where light is reflected from beneath the sample and "bounces off" the lower prism/sample interface; the latter being especially useful for measuring samples of high optical density such as rubber, polymers and the suchlike.