Refractive index

Description

The ability of a material to deflect light. The refractive index is a ratio obtained by dividing the speed of light in a vacuum by the speed of light as it passes through through the material. The refractive index of a material, such as a pigment, gives an indication of its color value and hiding power.

Synonyms and Related Terms

refr index; ref. index; RI; Brechungsindex (Deut.); indice de réfraction (Fr.);

Physical and Chemical Properties

• water=1.33
• glass=1.50
• linseed oil=1.57
• zinc oxide=2.00

Resources and Citations

• R. Mayer, The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques, Viking Press, New York, 1981

• Walter C. McCrone, John Gustave Delly, The Particle Atlas, W. McCrone Associates, Chicago, IV, 1972

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982