A new interferometer has been designed in order to perform measurements of refractive indices and refractive index increments on liquid systems under elevated pressure at different temperatures. The method of measurement, the calibration of the instrument and the treatment of data are described. With a series of test measurements on trans-decalin it is shown that with this instrument reliable results are obtained.

Refractive indices and refractive index increments of the system polystyrene/trans-decalin were measured under pressures up to 500 bar and at temperatures between 20 and 60°C. The measurements were performed with a new, recently designed interferometer. The results demonstrate a sufficient agreement of the refractive index values measured at different temperatures and pressures with the equations of Eykman and Gladstone-Dale whereas the Lorenz-Lorentz equation indicates larger deviations. The experimental data of the refractive index increment follow none of the refractive index mixture rules. It is therefore recommended to determine refractive index increments at different pressures experi…