Optical heterodyne polarimeter for measuring the chiral parameter and the circular refraction indices of optical activity.

A double-loop optical heterodyne polarized interferometer is set up to measure the optical rotation power and the circular refraction indices of optical activity. The system accuracy in the measurement of both the rotation angle and the chiral parameter is 10(-4) within the +/-2 degrees phase detection sensitivity of the system. The circular refraction indices of quartz activity were successfully demonstrated.