Apparatus for measuring the refractive index of a homogeneous medium and its application, amongst others, in agriculture for determining the degree of ripeness of a fruit or a vegetable

摘要

This apparatus comprises a light source S; a first device CMS designed to concentrate the light rays emitted by the said light source and to channel them and direct them to a means FOS-CMR for propagating almost all the light flux emitted by the first light-ray concentration device, which means is combined with an optical fibre FOR intended to be put in close contact with the medium M whose refractive index is to be found and fitted at its free end with a means R for reflecting the light flux; a second device CMR-CMD designed to collect almost all the light flux coming from the said reflection means in order to concentrate it and convey it to a means CD for detecting and measuring this flux. <IMAGE>