Laser-based optical facility for determination of refractive index of liquids

Refractive index knowledge is an important parameter when physical properties of liquids are investigated. For the easy and fast determination of refractive index of liquids, we established a computer-controlled optical facility in National Metrology Institute of Turkey, based on laser beam deviation technique. Basic components of the established facility are stabilized laser sources, temperature-controlled rectangular cells, servomotor-controlled knife edges and trap detectors. The facility was used to measure the refractive index of four liquids; pure water, acetone, methanol and n-propyl alcohol. Temperature and dispersion characterizations of each liquid were also investigated and are presented in this paper.