Light detecting apparatus

摘要

A light detecting apparatus 1 has first converting means for converting elliptically polarized light of a first type 6 emitted by an object 2 to linearly polarized light of a first type 10, and second converting means for converting elliptically polarized light of a second type 8 emitted by the object 2 to linearly polarized light of a second type 12. A first 16 and second 18 detector provide an output signal 26, 28 dependent on an intensity of the linearly polarized light of the first type 10 and second type 12 respectively. The first and/or second converting means may comprise at least one waveplate 4. Separating means such as a polarizing beam splitter 14 may separate the linearly polarized light of said first type 10 and second type 12. The apparatus may be used to analyze a sample containing chiral material e.g. to monitor the enantiometric content of the sample. The apparatus may detect left- and right-handed elliptically or circularly polarized light. The sample may be illuminated by excitation means in the form of a xenon bulb 30 energized by a pulsed pump laser 32.