How Polarimetry Works & How We Save You Time & Money

The Advantages of Excedr’s Polarimeter Leasing Program:

• Leasing eliminates the upfront cost of buying equipment by enabling you to make payments over time
• Payments may be 100% tax deductible*, which yields you significant cash-savings
• It costs less to lease through our program than to purchase outright
• Our comprehensive repair coverage minimizes your lab’s downtime
• We handle and streamline the admin work associated with instrument procurement and maintenance
• With the capital saved through our program, labs are better able to reinvest in their core business and operations (staffing, inventory, marketing/sales, etc.)

*Please consult your tax advisor to determine the full tax implications of leasing equipment.

Polarimetry measures the optical activity of an organic or inorganic compound using polarized light.

Measuring optical activity means measuring the optical rotation of a compound using a polarimeter, a device which employs polarimetry.

But why is this technique important? In chemistry, polarimetry is essential in understanding chiral molecules, which are characterized by their ability to rotate a plane of polarized light.

A chiral substance is going to have the ability to slow light down, visually altering the direction of oscillation. The wavelength’s change in direction is then measured.

Measuring the change in direction of a wavelength is possible because light constantly oscillates across all possible planes perpendicular to its origin.

For instance, a light bulb will light up a room because every wave emitted vibrates in its own direction; up and down, side to side, and perpendicular to the direction the light wave is traveling. This is known as unpolarized light.

In the case of polarimetry, light is polarized using a polarizer, an optical filter that allows for a specific wavelength to pass through, all while blocking other wavelengths of light. Through this process, an undefined or mixed light beam becomes a well-defined one, traveling in a single direction.

Polarimeters analyze different chiral solutions and their specific rotations by introducing linear plane-polarized light through a small tube containing a liquid sample. If a compound in a solution is optically inactive, the polarized light will not change.

However, if the compound is an optically active substance, the plane of light will change. As the light travels through the liquid sample, it will interact with the chiral molecules. This interaction causes the light to turn slightly. As it reaches the other end of the tube, its angle of rotation will be different than how it entered.

Polarimeters are used in numerous settings, from the pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and medical industries to the food industry.

The pharmaceutical industry relies on them in tandem with high-performance liquid chromatography systems to measure concentration of optically active compounds found in pharmaceutical drugs; the chemical industry uses polarimeters for characterization and identification of various compounds; the medical field relies on polarimetry for research in enzymology and toxicology; and lastly, the food industry uses polarimeters for quality control of products at a number of stages, as well as the concentrations and purity of food products.

This device is made up of a number of components, some of the important ones will be covered here. Polarimeters also come in a wide variety of configurations. As automation has become increasingly available, semi-automatic and fully-automatic polarimeters have replaced manual ones, changing the way scientists study optical activity.

Polarimeters are a highly useful piece of laboratory equipment whenever accurate optical measurements are required. If you work with compounds that are measured depending on their optical activity, a polarimeter is indispensable. 

Although purchasing a piece of equipment outright may be financially burdensome, there are alternatives available. Leasing provides a flexible solution to your laboratory’s cash flow needs. 

At Excedr, we offer a comprehensive lease program that provides preventive maintenance and repair coverage, ensuring any unforeseen downtime can be minimized. Contact us today to learn more!

Operating Lease

This off-balance sheet financing structure provides three options at the end of the term. The lessee has the option to return the equipment to the lessor, renew at a discounted rate, or purchase the instrument for the fair market value. Monthly payments are also 100% tax deductible which yields additional monetary savings.

Sale-Leaseback

If you recently bought equipment, Excedr can offer you cash for your device and convert your purchase into a long-term rental. This is called a sale leaseback. If you’ve paid for equipment within the last ninety days, we can help you recoup your investment and allow you to make low monthly payments. This also frees up money in your budget rather than tying it down to a fixed asset.