Determination of electric potential difference using the Kelvin probe, i.e. vibrating capacitor technique, is one of the most sensitive measuring procedures in surface physics. Periodic modulation of distance between electrodes leads to changes in capacitance, thereby causing current to flow through the external circuit. The procedure of contactless, non-destructive determination of contact potential difference between an electrically conductive vibrating reference electrode and an electrically conductive sample is based on precise control measurement of Kelvin current flowing through a capacitor. The present research is devoted to creation of a new low-cost miniaturised measurement system to determine potential difference in real time and at high measurement resolution. Furthermore, using the electrode of a reference probe, the Kelvin method leads to both the indirect measurement of an electronic work function, or a contact potential of sample, and of a surface potential for insulator type samples. In the article, the first part of the research, i.e., the basic principles and prerequisites for establishment of such a measurement system are considered.

The refractive index of a liquid carries important information about its physical properties, including concentration and density, thus making it possible to determine and monitor the composition of the solution. This is important in fundamental research, chemical analysis and medical diagnostics, as well as in the processing and manufacturing of various substances. The authors have developed a compact and adaptable device of high sensitivity for measuring the refractive indices of both stationary liquids and continuous liquid flows. This device can be used in various technological processes requiring real-time analysis of flowing liquid substances, including aggressive compounds. The refractive index is determined by measuring the deviation of a laser beam passed through a cylindrical cuvette containing the test liquid. The magnitude of the deviation, which depends on the RI, is measured as the displacement of the transmitted beam's projection on a linear measuring element, such as a linear CMOS or CCD image sensor. In order to significantly improve the resolution and stability of RI measurements, an efficient solution has been developed, based on repeated reflection and refraction of the light beam travelling through the cylindrical cuvette with liquid. By this, deviation of the rays exiting the cuvette increases several times in respect to refractive index of the liquid. Additionally, a new method for detecting the position of the projected laser beam on a linear optical sensor is employed. Also, an increase in the intensity of the exiting rays has been achieved. By applying the techniques developed, it is possible to achieve high resolution and stability of refractive index measurements even when the distance between the image sensor and the cuvette is short. Hence, a basis for the construction of accurate and compact devices for determining the refractive indices of liquids is provided, suitable for a broad spectrum of applications.

Chromophore Poling in Thin Films of Organic Glasses. 2. Two-Electrode Corona Discharge Setup In Part 1 of the article we provided description of the corona discharge physics and overview of the methods used for corona poling in thin organic films. Subsequent sections describe comparatively simple technical methods for poling the organic nonlinear optical polymers using a two-electrode (point-to-plate or wire-to-plate) technique. The polarization build-up was studied by the DC positive corona method for poling the nonlinear optical (NLO) polymers. The experimental setup provides the corona discharge current from 0.5 μA up to 3 μA by applying 3 kV - 12 kV voltage to the corona electrode and makes possible selection among the types of corona electrodes (needle, multi-needle, wire, etc.). The results of experimental testing of the poling setup show that at fixed optimal operational parameters of poling - the sample orientation temperature and the discharge current - the corona charging of polymeric materials can successfully be performed applying the two-electrode technique. To study the dynamics of both poling and charge transport processes the three-electrode charging system - a corona triode - should be applied.

The paper discusses the peculiarities in measuring the refractive index of a liquid by means of detector using a planeparallel plate as a simple measuring element and collimated light beam from laser diode. It is shown that, thanks to the splitting of refracted beam into two components at the exit face ofthe measuring element, it is possible to achieve resolution of the detector about iO within the whole range of refractive index measurements.