Optical analysis cell

The Optical Analysis Cell (OAC) is designed to enable rheological and optical measurements to be made simultaneously on a single sample by illumination of the specimen through a lower quartz plate. The cell may be used to determine a range of optical properties including light scattering effects, diffraction measurements and determination of dichroism and birefringence. The cell can be mounted directly onto the Malvern Bohlin Gemini and CVO rheometers.

Sample temperature is controlled via the Bohlin software. A circulating fluid is used to accurately maintain the required temperature in the range -20°C to 90°C (± 0.1°C).

An extensive range of measuring systems is available for use with the OAC including quartz upper and lower plates for light transmission (25 to 60mm diameter) and matt black upper plates for light absorption (8 to 60mm diameter).

Applications include determination of the stress optical coefficient, analysis of domain structures in liquid crystals and studying the dynamics of structure re-orientation in disperse systems, such as emulsions and suspensions.