Thermodynamical analysis of refractive index variations

✍ Scribed by Guy Mayer

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 169 KB
• Volume: 261
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0030-4018
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2005.11.070

✦ Synopsis

A thermodynamical relation connects at constant volume the temperature derivative of refractive index n(x) to the entropy variation induced in the medium by a wave of frequency x for which it is transparent.

In gases and in solids we study some consequences of this relation on refractive index variations and spectral frequency shifts. Second-order Doppler shifts and Fizeau drag-effect are also considered. We derive some reciprocal relations connecting the effects of mechanical energies on optical properties to the reverse effect of optical energies on the mechanics.

In solids these relations have a very simple expression.