Refractive Index: Variations & Formula Proof

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Refractive index varies with the wavelength of the incident radiation, meaning it differs for visible light and X-rays when passing through materials like glass. The formula n = 1 - δ - iβ describes this variation, indicating that the refractive index can be complex due to the nature of permittivity. A classical model of bound charges in a material can help explain this behavior, though the proof of the formula is complex and not fully detailed in common references. The refractive index is fundamentally linked to the dielectric function, which can also be expressed in terms of its real and imaginary components. Understanding these concepts is crucial for applications in optics and materials science.
alikazemi7
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Hi
1)Does refractive index varies when we are dealing with different waves? for example the refractive index for a typical glass is 1.5 when a visible light passes through it. Does it the same for x rays?
2) there is a complex formula which describes the refractive index: n = 1- δ - iβ. how is the proof of this formula?
 
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1) Yes refractive index of a material varies with wavelength of the radiation incident on it.

Can't answer the 2nd question.
 
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Refractive index changes with variation of waves, yes. And that formula looks familiar, I think I saw it in Feynman's lecture in physics, but I don't think the proof was given there, the proof may be too complex.
 
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A quite simple model for the dielectric function of a homogeneous material (and thus the refraction index) is to assume a completely classical system of bound charges, which are only slightly disturbed by the incoming electromagnetic wave and thus linear-response theory is applicable. So you can just assume that the charges of the material are bound harmonically and have some "friction" (dissipation). It's a bit lengthy to work this out here. You find an excellent treatment of this classical dispersion theory in

A. Sommerfeld, Lectures on theoretical physics, vol. 4 (optics)
 
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alikazemi7 said:
2) there is a complex formula which describes the refractive index: n = 1- δ - iβ. how is the proof of this formula?
In general, refractive index can be complex, i.e. ##n=n_R+i\hspace{0.5mm}n_I##. This is because refractive index is defined as the square root of permittivity, while permittivity is a complex quantity.
$$
n=\sqrt{\epsilon} = \sqrt{1+\chi} = \sqrt{1+\chi_R+i\hspace{0.5mm}\chi_I}
$$
So, it's no surprise that you would find something like you wrote there.
 
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