Mathematical description of Refractive index in crystal/glass

[Panthera Leo]

Hi,

I have read on a website that the refractive index of glass is related to the number of electrons it has per unit volume.

I don't recall which website it was, but is it true? & if so what is the quantitative description behind it? or is it a lot more complicated :)

Many thanks for the replies.

 

[Dr_Morbius]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Refractive+index

 

[andrien]

you should better take a look in feynman lectures vol.1(the origin of refractive index) and 2 both.it is not complicated if you know that an electron can be pictured as bounded to atom by a restoring force.

 

[Enthalpy]

These are very primitive models. Please don't extrapolate any engineering value nor deduce any comparison between glass from these models.

 

[Panthera Leo]

you should better take a look in feynman lectures vol.1(the origin of refractive index) and 2 both.it is not complicated if you know that an electron can be pictured as bounded to atom by a restoring force.

Thank you very much indeed.