Definition of Refractive index

1. Noun. The ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to that in a medium.

Exact synonyms: Index Of Refraction
Generic synonyms: Ratio

Definition of Refractive index

1. Noun. (physics) The ratio of the speed of light in air or vacuum to that in another medium. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Refractive index

1. The ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to the velocity in some medium. Refractive index generally increases with the atomic number of the constituent atoms. (05 Aug 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Refractive Index

refracted
refracted light
refractile
refracting
refracting angle of a prism
refracting telescope
refracting telescopes
refraction
refractionist
refractionometer
refractions
refractive
refractive accommodative esotropia
refractive amblyopia
refractive errors
refractive index (current term)
refractive keratoplasty
refractive keratotomy
refractively
refractiveness
refractivities
refractivity
refractometer
refractometers
refractometric
refractometries
refractometry
refractor
refractories
refractorily

Literary usage of Refractive index

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Text-book of Physics by William Watson (1904)
"Absolute refractive index, and Change in refractive index with Change in the ... In almost all cases the refractive index from air to a given medium is what ..."

2. Technical Digest edited by G. W. Day, D. L. Franzen, P. A. Williams (1999)
"Group refractive index is an interesting parameter who allows us to measure the light optical path in a fiber and therefore ..."

3. The Encyclopedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and by Hugh Chisholm (1911)
"The refractive index n is calculated from the formula given above. ... When at zero the alidade corresponds to a refractive index of 1-3, and any other ..."

4. Scientific Papers by John William Strutt Rayleigh (1902)
"433], suggests the question whether the reflection of any particular ray is really annihilated when the relative refractive index is unity for that ray. ..."

5. The Theory of Light by Thomas Preston (1901)
"By using it we ' determine the refractive index for yellow light and avoid complies ... Formula for the refractive index. — The prism being place*! in the ..."

6. Manual of Petrographic Methods by Albert Johannsen (1918)
"It makes possible the determination of the refractive index at every contact, no matter how the crystal may be oriented, between an unknown mineral and a ..."

7. Manual of Petrographic Methods by Albert Johannsen (1918)
"It makes possible the determination of the refractive index at every contact, no matter how the crystal may be oriented, between an unknown mineral and a ..."

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