I Colloid complex refractive index from UV-vis spec

[CheesyG]

TL;DR

Can I determine the complex refractive index (n + ik) of a colloid via UV-vis spectroscopy?

Hi everyone,

I am wondering, can I use the damped wave approximation for light travelling through a medium along with Beers law to spectroscopically determine a colloid complex refractive index.
Thanks!

Absorbance = exp (- 2πkx/λ) = ecl

 

[Dr_Nate]

I think it's possible. You could extract k as a function of wavelength, and then fit a series of Lorentz oscillators to it. This would then give you n. Beware though, if you don't understand the physics of your material, then I'd say that you could end up with numbers that aren't a good match to reality.