index of refraction

n. The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium under consideration. Also called refractive index.

index of refraction

n (General Physics) another name for refractive index

in′dex of refrac′tion

n. a number indicating the speed of light in a given medium, usu. as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum or in air to that in the given medium. [1820–30]

in·dex of refraction

(ĭn′dĕks′) The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in another medium, such as water or oil.

Thesaurus

Noun

index of refraction - the ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to that in a mediumrefractive indexratio - the relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient)

Translations

index of refraction

1. The ratio of the angle made by the incident ray with the perpendicular (angle of incidence) to that made by the emergent ray (angle of refraction). 2. The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in another medium. The refractive index of water is 1.33; that of the crystalline lens of the eye is 1.413. Synonym: refractive indexSee also: index

index of refraction

A measure of the optical density of a transparent material such as glass or the cornea. It is the ratio of the speed of light through the material to its speed in a vacuum.

Index of refraction

A constant number for any material for any given color of light that is an indicator of the degree of the bending of the light caused by that material.Mentioned in: Eye Glasses and Contact Lenses

index of refraction

The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum or in air, c, to the speed of light in a given medium, v. Symbol: n. Hence,n = c/vThe speed of light in a given medium depends upon its wavelength. Consequently, the index of refraction varies accordingly, being greater for short wavelengths (blue) than for longer wavelengths (red). The index of refraction forms the basis of Snell's law, which quantitatively determines the deviation of light rays traversing a surface separating two media of different refractive indices. Syn. refractive index. Plural: indices. See dispersion; law of refraction; gradient-index lens; high index lens; speed of light; refractometer.

Table I3 Refractive indices of some transparent media at selected wavelengths
spectral line	G	F	D	C	A
Origin	Calcium	Hydrogen	Sodium	Hydrogen	Oxygen
wavelength (nm)	430.8	486.1	589.3	656.3	759.4
aqueous or vitreous humour	1.3440	1.3404	1.3360	1.3341	1.3317
crystalline lens	1.4307	1.4259	1.4200	1.4175	1.4144
spectacle crown	1.5348	1.5293	1.5230	1.5204	1.5163
dense flint	1.6397	1.6290	1.6170	1.6122	1.6062

Table I4 Index of refraction n of various media for sodium light (λ = 589.3)
air	1.00
water (at 20ºC)	1.333
spectacle crown glass	1.523
flint glass (dense)	1.62
flint glass (extra dense)	1.65-1.70
titanium oxide glass	1.701
calcite crystal
ordinary ray	1.658
extraordinary ray	1.486
quartz crystal
ordinary ray	1.544
extraordinary ray	1.553

diamond	2.42
Canada balsam	1.53-1.54
CR-39	1.498
polycarbonate	1.586
silicone rubber	1.44
CAB	1.47
PMMA	1.49
HEMA	1.43
hydrogel polymer
20% water content	1.46-1.48
75% water content	1.37-1.38
eye
tears	1.336
cornea	1.376
aqueous humour	1.336
crystalline lens (average effect)	1.42
vitreous humour	1.336

index of refraction

index of refraction

index of refraction

in′dex of refrac′tion

in·dex of refraction

index of refraction

index of refraction

index of refraction

index of refraction

index of refraction

Index of refraction

index of refraction

index of refraction

Synonyms for index of refraction

noun the ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to that in a medium

Synonyms

Related Words