Polarizers

Introduction to how to measure polarization and the degree of polarization, The various physical processes used to control polarization including: absorption, reflection, interference, and birefringence. An explaination of the operation of a wire grid and its molecular equivalent, a polaroid plastic are given. Fresnel formula for reflection is used to calculate the Stokes component of the reflected light. A brief introduction to the concept of birefringence is given and the various designs of birefringent prism polarizers are listed with their advantanges and shortcomings. A sample design of a prism polarizer is given. Quarter wave and half wave retarders and their use are discussed. An optional section is devoted to optical activity and the use of chiral measurements in chemistry and drug manufacturing are discussed.

VNIIMS standard base of in the field of measuring the amount and properties of substance – measurements in chemistry and biology

The issue of the role of VNIIMS as the leading scientific organization in the field of legal metrology and the leading scientific and practical centre for metrological support of various sectors of the national economy is considered. The paper provides information on the equipment of the institute with standards in the field of physical and chemical measurements. The characteristics of experimental sample of the State Primary Standard of the unit of catalytic activity – katal, characteristics and fields of application of state standards of units of the VNIIMS in the field of physical and chemical measurements are given. The describes the plans of VNNIMS in accordance with the List of Critical Technologies of the Russian Federation, state programs for the development of industries.

A critical review of the proposed definitions of fundamental chemical quantities and their impact on chemical communities (IUPAC Technical Report)

In the proposed new SI, the kilogram will be redefined in terms of the Planck constant and the mole will be redefined in terms of the Avogadro constant. These redefinitions will have some consequences for measurements in chemistry. The goal of the Mole Project (IUPAC Project Number 2013-048-1-100) was to compile published work related to the definition of the quantity ‘amount of substance’, its unit the ‘mole’, and the consequence of these definitions on the unit of the quantity mass, the kilogram. The published work has been reviewed critically with the aim of assembling all possible aspects in order to enable IUPAC to judge the adequateness of the existing definitions or new proposals. Compilation and critical review relies on the broadest spectrum of interested IUPAC members.