Rudolph Autopol V Automatic Temperature-Controlled Polarimeter
| Brand | Rudolph |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | Autopol V |
| Product Type | Automatic Polarimeter |
| Temperature Control | Built-in Semiconductor Thermostat (10–40 °C, ±0.1 °C accuracy) |
| Display | Digital LCD Interface |
| Light Source | Halogen Lamp (>2000 h lifetime) |
| Measurement Range | ±89.99° arc, 0–99.9% concentration |
| Resolution | 0.0001° arc |
| Accuracy | ±0.002° arc (full scale) |
| Wavelength Options | 365, 405, 436, 546, 589, 633 nm (custom wavelengths available) |
Overview
The Rudolph Autopol V is a high-precision, fully automated temperature-controlled polarimeter engineered for pharmaceutical, chemical, food, and academic laboratories requiring rigorous optical activity measurement under defined thermal conditions. It operates on the fundamental principle of optical rotation—quantifying the angular displacement of plane-polarized light as it passes through chiral substances in solution. Unlike conventional polarimeters relying on external water baths or fixed-temperature blocks, the Autopol V integrates a solid-state Peltier-based thermostatic system directly into the optical path housing, enabling rapid, stable, and traceable temperature control from 10 °C to 40 °C without auxiliary equipment. This architecture eliminates thermal lag, reduces measurement cycle time to under two minutes, and ensures direct sample temperature monitoring via an embedded NIST-traceable probe—critical for method validation and regulatory compliance.
Key Features
- Integrated semiconductor temperature control system with ±0.1 °C accuracy across 10–40 °C range; no external chiller or water bath required
- High-stability halogen lamp light source offering >2000 hours operational lifetime, immediate warm-up, and seamless wavelength switching without lamp replacement
- Dual-wavelength calibration and validation support via included TempTrol™ NIST-traceable quartz standards (A700T) and temperature validation cell (A20852)
- Comprehensive 21 CFR Part 11 compliance package: electronic signature capability, audit-trail-enabled software, secure user authentication, and encrypted data storage on removable SD card
- Intuitive touchscreen interface with customizable method templates, real-time graphing, and GLP/GMP-aligned reporting structure
- Full backward compatibility with Autopol IV methods, protocols, and accessories—ensuring seamless lab workflow continuity
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Autopol V accommodates standard 100 mm, 200 mm, and custom-length sample cells (including microcells down to 0.1 mL volume), supporting aqueous, organic, and viscous solutions across diverse industries. Its design conforms to key international standards including USP , EP 2.2.7, and ISO 13873 for polarimetric analysis. All factory-installed calibration and verification tools are certified NIST-traceable and supplied with documented uncertainty budgets. The instrument supports IQ/OQ/PQ documentation packages aligned with FDA, EMA, and WHO GMP expectations, and includes preconfigured templates for internal validation protocols per ICH Q2(R2) guidelines.
Software & Data Management
Autopol V operates with Rudolph’s proprietary PolaWin™ software (v6.x), a validated Windows-based platform supporting multi-user role management, electronic signatures, and full audit trail functionality compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 and Annex 11 requirements. Data export options include CSV, PDF, and XML formats compatible with LIMS integration. The software provides automatic calculation of specific rotation ([α]), concentration, enantiomeric excess (ee%), and batch deviation metrics. Raw measurement logs—including timestamped temperature readings, lamp intensity values, and detector signal stability—are retained with immutable metadata, enabling full traceability during regulatory inspections or technical audits.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical quality control: assay of chiral APIs (e.g., levodopa, ibuprofen, atenolol), excipient identity testing, and stability-indicating assays per ICH Q5C
- Food & beverage analysis: sucrose, fructose, and glucose quantification in syrups, juices, and honey per AOAC and ICUMSA methods
- Chemical manufacturing: enantiomeric purity verification of intermediates and final products in asymmetric synthesis workflows
- Academic research: kinetic studies of chiral inversion, solvent effect evaluation, and temperature-dependent optical rotation modeling
- Biotechnology: characterization of polysaccharide conformation, protein folding intermediates, and nucleic acid secondary structure transitions
FAQ
Does the Autopol V require external cooling or heating units to maintain temperature?
No—the instrument contains a self-contained Peltier thermoelectric module and integrated heat sink, eliminating dependence on recirculating chillers or water baths.
Can the Autopol V be used for regulatory submissions under FDA or EMA requirements?
Yes—it ships with complete 21 CFR Part 11-compliant software, pre-validated IQ/OQ/PQ documentation, and NIST-traceable calibration artifacts meeting ALCOA+ data integrity principles.
What wavelength options are supported, and how is wavelength selection performed?
Standard wavelengths include 365, 405, 436, 546, 589, and 633 nm; selection is software-driven and mechanically actuated via internal filter wheel—no manual lamp changes required.
Is routine recalibration necessary, and what tools are provided for user-performed verification?
Daily verification can be conducted using the included A700T TempTrol™ quartz plate and A20852 temperature validation cell; full calibration is recommended annually by an accredited service provider.
How does the Autopol V handle temperature drift during extended measurements?
Real-time feedback from the embedded Pt100 probe continuously adjusts the Peltier drive current, maintaining setpoint stability within ±0.05 °C over 60-minute continuous operation.
