RefractiveIndex.INFO

Refractive index database

nk database   |   n2 database   |   about

Shelf

Book

Page

Optical constants of PLASTICS
PMMA - Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Wavelength: µm
 (0.4368–1.052)  
 

Complex refractive index (n+ik)[ i ]


n   k   LogX   LogY   eV

Derived optical constants

Dispersion formula [ i ]

$$n^2-1=\frac{1.1819λ^2}{λ^2-0.011313}$$

Conditions & Spec sheet

n_is_absolute: false
wavelength_is_vacuum: false
temperature: 20 °C

Comments

20 °C

References

N. Sultanova, S. Kasarova and I. Nikolov. Dispersion properties of optical polymers, Acta Physica Polonica A 116, 585-587 (2009)
(fit of the experimental data with the Sellmeier dispersion formula: Mikhail Polyanskiy)

Data

[Expressions for n]   [CSV - comma separated]   [TXT - tab separated]   [Full database record]

INFO

Poly(methyl methacrylate), (C5H8O2)n

Pentanol (Amyl alcohol, C5H12O) is an organic compound that belongs to the alcohol family. There are several isomers of pentanol, with the common name "amyl alcohol" often referring to a mixture of these isomers. Predominantly, it's used as a solvent and an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. In its pure form, pentanol has a characteristic alcoholic odor and is slightly viscous compared to lower alcohols. When considering its optical properties, pentanol is generally transparent in the visible spectrum. Like other alcohols, pentanol should be handled with care due to its flammable nature and potential health effects. Proper storage and precautions are necessary when working with or around this compound.

Other names

  • Poly(methyl methacrylate)
  • PMMA
  • Acrylic glass

Trademarks

  • Plexiglas
  • Vitroflex
  • Limacryl
  • R-Cast
  • Per-Clax
  • Perspex
  • Plazcryl
  • Acrylex
  • Acrylite
  • Acrylplast
  • Altuglas
  • Polycast
  • Oroglass
  • Lucite

External links


Plastics

Plastics offer a lightweight, cost-effective alternative to traditional optical materials like glass and crystal, making them an increasingly popular choice for a variety of optical applications. Common optical plastics include polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate, and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), each with its own set of advantages and limitations. For instance, PMMA is known for its excellent light transmittance and ease of fabrication, while polycarbonate provides higher impact resistance. Plastics are widely used in consumer electronics, automotive lighting, and even in some medical devices, where their lightweight nature and moldability offer distinct advantages. They are particularly well-suited for mass production techniques like injection molding, which allows for the creation of complex optical elements at scale. However, plastics generally have lower refractive indices and can exhibit higher levels of optical dispersion compared to glass, which can be a limitation in high-precision applications. They are also more susceptible to environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations and UV degradation, requiring special additives or coatings for long-term stability. Advances in polymer science are leading to new types of optical plastics with improved characteristics, including higher refractive indices and lower levels of dispersion, expanding their range of potential applications. Overall, plastics provide a versatile and economically viable option for many optical systems, and ongoing research promises to further extend their capabilities.

External links