refractive index

American  

noun

Optics.

1. index of refraction.

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refractive index British  

noun

1.  ν.   μ.  physics a measure of the extent to which radiation is refracted on passing through the interface between two media. It is the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction, which can be shown to be equal to the ratio of the phase speed in the first medium to that in the second. In the case of electromagnetic radiation, esp light, it is usual to give values of the absolute refractive index of a medium, that is for radiation entering the medium from free space

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Etymology

Origin of refractive index

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The ensemble was excited by a linearly polarized green laser with a wavelength of 532 nanometers, and a high refractive index hemispherical lens was used to enhance the collection efficiency of the laser-induced fluorescence.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2024

However, the resin utilized as the printing material suffers from a drawback -- a low refractive index, hindering efficient light manipulation.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

To its surprise, the team would later learn that the shift in focus stemmed not from the changing size or curvature of the lenses, but instead mostly from an alteration to their so-called refractive index.

From Science Daily • Oct. 23, 2023

Given that the refractive index of air is lower for air at higher temperatures, explain how mirages can be formed.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

This is often visible on deserts where the hot sand causes the adjacent layer of air to expand and therefore, the refractive index to increase.

From Visual Illusions Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications by Luckiesh, Matthew