Measurement of refractive index of liquids using s- and p-polarized light

• Published in: Measurement science & technology 2000-01, Vol.11 (1), p.74-76
• Main Authors: Räty, J, Peiponen, K-E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Optical constants (including refractive index, complex dielectric constant, absorption, reflection and transmission coefficients, emissivity); Optical constants: refractive index, complex dielectric constant, absorption, reflection and transmission coefficients, emissivity; Optical instruments, equipment and techniques; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of bulk materials and thin films; Physics; Refractometers and reflectometers
• ISSN: 0957-0233; 1361-6501
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-0233/11/1/311

A recently developed reflectometer was used for the determination of the wavelength-dependent refractive index of liquids. Reflectance from the prism - liquid interface was analysed using the formulae derived from the relation between Fresnel's amplitude reflection coefficients. The refractive indices of two test liquids were determined at 590 nm: ethanol in water; and lignin dissolved in distilled water. The consistency of the results was experimentally tested using a commercial Abbe refractometer. (Original abstract - amended)