[zviman]

Hi,

I don't have any background in chemistry - except for some basic chemistry from elementary..
Is there a way to engineer a liquid with a specific refractive index ?
If yes, how? and if not, why?

Thanks,
Zvi

[Arkcon]

Well, dissolving something in water will shift it's refractive index.  The question is, what liquid do you have, what's it's refractive index, and where do you want to shift it to?

[ARGOS++]

Dear zviman;

I think not for a pure liquid as you think because there is no relationship between structure (chemical compound) and specific refractive index (SRI).

But you may be able to do/design it in some ranges with mixtures of miscible solvents, or solve some "transparent" compound in such a Solvent.
I think also that it needs some empiricism to find the correct mass ratio.


I hope I have given you at least a possible Idea.
Good Luck!
                    ARGOS⁺⁺

[zviman]

Thank you both for your response
After doing a little web search, I realized that the refractive index is also affected by the density of the liquid - and I didn't find any liquid compound that has a refractive index more then 1.8

For example, Silicon has a refractive index of 4 - is there a way to engineer a liquid in a room temp with the exact refractive index, or is it impossible to engineer such a liquid because liquids are lesser density than solids?

Zvi

[zviman]

anyone?

[ARGOS++]

Dear zviman;

If I consult the following Table, then I have very hard to believe that there will be any liquid with a refractive index higher than 2.0:

http://ece-www.colorado.edu/~bart/book/ellipstb.htm

But you may ask also:   http://www.cargille.com/refractivestandards.shtml

Good Luck!
                    ARGOS⁺⁺