Apparatus and method for measuring optically active materials

Apparatus for sensing and measuring optically active material in a sample, comprising:

• a) a light source emitting light of a wavelength that can pass through the sample;
• b) a light transparent sample container for holding the sample;
• c) a linear polarizer interposed between the light source and the sample for producing a polarized light beam;
• d) a symmetrical linear split-field polarizer having a separation angle expressed as ½δ=12.5°-30°, and a polarity from about 90°±45° to 90°±½° with respect to the first linear polarizer, said polarizer being fixedly positioned to intercept the polarized light that passed through the sample;
• e) detectors to detect the split light beams passing through each polarizer of the split-field polarizer;
• f) means to amplify the current or voltage passing through each of the detectors;
• g) a differential amplifier;
• h) a data processor;
• i) a display;
• and
• j) electronic circuitry to operate the apparatus and provide an output on the display.