Using focused light to determine the refractive index of materials by total internal reflection

Hui Li; Shusen Xie; Yishen Qiu

doi:10.1117/12.253078

3 October 1996 Using focused light to determine the refractive index of materials by total internal reflection

Hui Li, Shusen Xie, Yishen Qiu

Proceedings Volume 2899, Automated Optical Inspection for Industry; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.253078
Event: Photonics China '96, 1996, Beijing, China

Abstract

A method based on total internal reflection is presented for determining the refractive index of materials. A focused light beam and a semicyclindrical lens in contact with materials are used in the experimental apparatus. The dependence of the internal reflective intensity or reflectivity on the angle of incidence is measured by a photodetector, e.g. linear CCD camera. The critical angle and therefore the refractive index can be obtained from the spacial distribution of internal reflective light. If a monochrometer is chosen as the light source, the chromatic dispersion curve of materials can be determined directly and quickly. The simple method can easily be controlled by computer techniques and applied to both tiny transparent and opaque samples whether they are solid or liquid. The several experimental results have shown that the method is reliable and very useful. It will play a role in many areas relative to the refractive index.

Citation Download Citation

Hui Li, Shusen Xie, and Yishen Qiu "Using focused light to determine the refractive index of materials by total internal reflection", Proc. SPIE 2899, Automated Optical Inspection for Industry, (3 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.253078

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