Refractive index of H2O, D2O (Water, heavy water, ice)

Optical constants of H₂O, D₂O (Water, heavy water, ice)
Hale and Querry 1973: Water; n,k 0.2–200 µm; 25 °C

Wavelength: µm

(0.200–200)

Complex refractive index (n+ik)[ i ]

Derived optical constants

Conditions & Spec sheet

n_is_absolute: true
wavelength_is_vacuum: true
temperature: 25 °C

Comments

Liquid water (H₂O) at 25 °C

References

G. M. Hale and M. R. Querry. Optical constants of water in the 200-nm to 200-µm wavelength region, Appl. Opt. 12, 555-563 (1973)
See also Segelstein 1981 for more recent data from the same group.

Data

[CSV - comma separated] [TXT - tab separated] [Full database record]

Optical transmission calculator

Wavelength: µm
Thickness:
Calculation method:

Transmittance[ i ]

T =

LogX LogY eV

Reflection calculator

Wavelength: µm
Angle of incidence (0~90°):
Direction: in out

Reflectance[ i ]

P-polarized

R_P =

S-polarized

R_S =

Non-polarized (Rp+Rs)/2

R =

R_P R_S R LogY

Reflection phase[ i ]

ɸ_P = °
ɸ_S = °

Brewster's angle[ i ]

θ_B = °

Critical angle[ i ] [ i ]

θ_C = °

INFO

Water and ice, H₂O

Water (H₂O) is the most abundant compound on Earth's surface. It exists in various states—liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor)—each having unique optical properties. In its liquid form, water is transparent over a broad range of visible wavelengths but absorbs infrared and ultraviolet light. It serves as the basis for many solvents used in optical spectroscopy. Ice, the solid state of water, also has specific optical characteristics like birefringence and is studied for its role in atmospheric optics. Water vapor, on the other hand, can act as a selective absorber of certain wavelengths and is significant in remote sensing applications. Given its ubiquity and importance in life sciences and environmental science, understanding the optical properties of water and its various states is crucial.

RefractiveIndex.INFO

Optical constants of H₂O, D₂O (Water, heavy water, ice)
Hale and Querry 1973: Water; n,k 0.2–200 µm; 25 °C

Complex refractive index (n+ik)[ i ]

Refractive index[ i ]

Extinction coefficient[ i ]

Derived optical constants

Relative permittivity (dielectric constants)[ i ] [ i ]

Absorption coefficient[ i ] [ i ]

Abbe number[ i ]

Chromatic dispersion[ i ]

Group index[ i ] [ i ]

Group velocity dispersion[ i ] [ i ] [ i ]

Conditions & Spec sheet

Comments

References

Data

Optical transmission calculator

Transmittance[ i ]

Reflection calculator

Reflectance[ i ]

P-polarized

S-polarized

Non-polarized (Rp+Rs)/2

Reflection phase[ i ]

Brewster's angle[ i ]

Critical angle[ i ] [ i ]

INFO

Water and ice, H₂O

External links

Optical constants of H2O, D2O (Water, heavy water, ice)Hale and Querry 1973: Water; n,k 0.2–200 µm; 25 °C

Complex refractive index (n+ik)[ i ]

Refractive index[ i ]

Extinction coefficient[ i ]

Derived optical constants

Relative permittivity (dielectric constants)[ i ] [ i ]

Absorption coefficient[ i ] [ i ]

Abbe number[ i ]

Chromatic dispersion[ i ]

Group index[ i ] [ i ]

Group velocity dispersion[ i ] [ i ] [ i ]

Conditions & Spec sheet

Comments

References

Data

Optical transmission calculator

Transmittance[ i ]

Reflection calculator

Reflectance[ i ]

P-polarized

S-polarized

Non-polarized (Rp+Rs)/2

Reflection phase[ i ]

Brewster's angle[ i ]

Critical angle[ i ] [ i ]

INFO

Water and ice, H2O

External links

Optical constants of H₂O, D₂O (Water, heavy water, ice)
Hale and Querry 1973: Water; n,k 0.2–200 µm; 25 °C

Water and ice, H₂O