Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology - Sellmeier formula, refractive index, Sellmeier equation, dispersion formula

Sellmeier Formula

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Definition: an equation for calculating the wavelength-dependent refractive index

For the specification of a wavelength-dependent refractive index of a transparent optical material, it is common to use a so-called Sellmeier formula [1] (also called Sellmeier equation or Sellmeier dispersion formula, after W. Sellmeier). This is typically of the form

with the coefficients A j and B j. That form results from a relatively simple physical model. As an example, the refractive index of fused silica can be calculated as [2]

where the wavelength in micrometers has to be inserted. The Sellmeier coefficients are usually obtained by a leastsquare fitting procedure, applied to refractive indices measured in a wide wavelength range.

Applications
Such equations are very useful, as they make it possible to describe fairly accurately the refractive index in a wide wavelength range with only a few so-called Sellmeier coefficients, which are usually obtained from measured data with some least-square fitting algorithm. Sellmeier coefficients for many optical materials are available in databases. Some caution is advisable when applying Sellmeier equations in extreme wavelength regions; unfortunately, the validity range of available data is often not indicated. Sellmeier data are also very useful for evaluating the chromatic dispersion of a material. This involves frequency derivatives, which can be performed analytically with Sellmeier data even for high orders of dispersion, whereas numerical differentiation on the basis of tabulated index data is sensitive to noise. Another frequent application of Sellmeier data is the calculation of phase-matching configurations for nonlinear frequency conversion. Here, it is often critical to have Sellmeier data which are valid in a wide wavelength range.

Modified Equations
The literature contains a great variety of modified equations

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Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology - Sellmeier formula, refractive index, Sellmeier equation, dispersion formula

which are also often called Sellmeier formulas. Extensions to the simple form give above can enlarge the wavelength range of validity, or make it possible to include the temperature dependence of refractive indices. This can be important, for example, for calculating phase-matching configurations for nonlinear frequency conversion.

Alternatives to Sellmeier Equations

There are various other kinds of equations for refractive indices. For example, there is the old Cauchy formula, which is a bit simpler than the Sellmeier formula and still fits the refractive indices of many materials in the visible spectral region quite well. In the near infrared, however, substantially higher accuracy is achieved with the Sellmeier formula. Other equations have been presented by authors like Hartmann, Conrady, KettlerDrude, and Herzberger.

Bibliography
[1] W. Sellmeier, Ann. Phys. Chem. 143, 271 (1871) [2] I. H. Malitson, Interspecimen comparison of the refractive index of fused silica, J. Opt. Soc. Am. 55 (10), 1205 (1965) [3] D. H. Jundt, Temperature-dependent Sellmeier equation for the index of refraction, n e , in congruent lithium niobate, Opt. Lett. 22 (20), 1553 (1997)

See also: refractive index, dispersion

Category: general optics

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