Refraction and dispersion in optical glass

The reflectivity spectra of representative glasses were analyzed to obtain their uv absorption spectra. From these, we show that the first few inverse moments of the absorption give a good representation of the refractive index for visible light when used with the generalized Cauchy dispersion formula [Radiat. Eff. Def. Sol. 157 (2002) 823]. The absorption spectra also illustrate the roles of modifier ions in determining the visible refractive index. These include introduction of ion-specific absorptions (uv color centers); broadening, shifting and altering the strength of glass-former absorptions; and alteration of the density and structure of the glass' random network. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.