In optics, the refractive index (also called refraction index or index of refraction), often denoted n, is the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum (c) to the speed of light in a given optical medium (v), n=c/v.

1) I. H. Malitson. Interspecimen comparison of the refractive index of fused silica. J. Opt. Soc. Am. 55, 1205-1208 (1965) 2) C. Z. Tan. Determination of refractive index of silica glass for infrared …

Nov 21, 2025 · Refractive index, measure of the bending of a ray of light when passing from one medium into another.

Jun 10, 2025 · The refractive index is a measure of this bending, calculated by comparing the speed of light in air to its speed in the medium. Materials with higher refractive indices, like sapphire, bend …

The refractive index (index of refraction) is defined as the quotient of the speed of light as it passes through two media, it is a dimensionless number defined as n=c/v.

The refractive index is a ratio of the speed of light in a medium relative to its speed in a vacuum. This change in speed from one medium to another is what causes light rays to bend. It is also important to …

The Refractive Index - n - of a medium is a measure for how much the velocity of light is reduced inside the medium. The velocity of light in a medium can be expressed as v = c / n (1) where v = velocity of …