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

To tackle this challenge, researchers are actively exploring nanocomposites, integrating nanoparticles into the resin to boost its refractive index.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

To address this limitation, the team developed a material with a high refractive index and low loss for the infrared region.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2024

This arrangement gave each layer a specific, different refractive index, and together the layers kept any light traveling through the fiber from escaping or scattering away.

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 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