Measurement of Refractive Index of Glass

Introduction

This is a very simple experiment that can provide insight into the electromagnetic wave propagation and fibre optics. The experiment requires minimal equipment, and it does not require power supplies, batteries or a computer.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this experiment; by use of the equations provided in the appendix and Fig 1, one should be able to do the following:

• Measure angle of incidence
• Measure angle of refraction
• Determine refractive index of glass
• Verify Snell's law
• Calculate the critical angle
• Calculate wave impedance of air
• Calculate wave impedance of glass
• Calculate input relection coefficient from air to glass
• Calculate return loss
• Calculate transmission coefficient from air to glass
• Calculate velocity of propagation of light in air
• Calculate velocity of propagation of light in glass
• Calculate VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio)