In a new type of liquid refractometer, the phase difference variation
between s and p polarizations produced by the total internal reflectio
n is measured using a heterodyne interferometer with a specially desig
ned probe. Substituting the phase difference variation into the Fresne
l's equation, the refractive index can be calculated and displayed. Th
e prototype is set up to demonstrate its feasibility. (C) 1998 Society
of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(98)02510-0].