X-Nico

unusual facts about refractive index



Optical space

An optical space is a mathematical coordinate system such as a Cartesian coordinate system associated with a refractive index.


see also

Achromatic lens

The choice of glass gives the mean refractive index, often written as n d (for the refractive index at the Fraunhofer "d" spectral line wavelength), and the Abbe number V (for the reciprocal of the glass dispersion).

Flat lens

Russian mathematician Victor Veselago predicted that a material with simultaneously negative electric and magnetic polarization responses would yield a negative refractive index (an isotropic refractive index of −1), a ‘left-handed’ medium in which light propagates with opposite phase and energy velocities.

Spherical aberration

A typical value of refractive index for crown glass is 1.5, (See list) which indicates that only about 43% of the area (67% of diameter) of a spherical lens is useful.

Tin-glazing

Tin oxide remains in suspension in vitreous matrix of the fired glazes, and, with its high refractive index being sufficiently different from the matrix, light is scattered, and hence increases the opacity of the glaze.