refractive index

Definitions

General Science

• noun the ratio of the speed of refracted light in a vacuum to its speed in the medium being studied

Electronics

• The ratio of the phase velocity of a wave in free space, to the phase velocity of the same wave in a given medium. Also called absolute index of refraction (1).
• The ratio of the phase velocity of light in free space, to the phase velocity of light in a given medium. Also called absolute index of refraction (2).
• synonymrefraction index
• synonymrelative index of refraction

Food

• noun a measure of how light is refracted when passing through a medium, used for measuring the purity of substances such as oil or sugar

Nearby Definitions of “refractive index”

• reduce
• referee
• reference
• reflector
• refraction
• refractive index
• register
• regulation
• rehearsal
• relay
• release

Contexts for “refractive index”

6 definitions in context
• General Science
• Electronics
• Food