Bi (Bismuth)

Metals and conductors

3 datasets, together covering 2.48e-06–6.199 µm. Default: Hagemann et al. 1974: n,k 0.00155–6.20 µm.

Compare datasets

Tick datasets in the list to add them to the plot (up to 12).

Datasets

Experimental data

Models and simulations

Werner et al. 2009: DFT calculations; n,k 0.0176–2.48 µm n,k 0.01759–2.48 µm

Use it in Lightsmith

Load this data in Python, simulate in one more line

pip install lightsmith

import lightsmith as ls

# Bi (Bismuth): Hagemann et al. 1974: n,k 0.00155–6.20 µm
bi = ls.fetch_refractiveindex("main", "Bi", "Hagemann", ref="c5c2f188e848453def5970e347399d653df2ffc2")
print(bi.range_nm)  # (0.00248, 6199) nm
eps = bi.eps([633])  # complex permittivity

Downloads the original record once (pinned to the imported snapshot) and caches it.

import json, urllib.request
import lightsmith as ls

url = "https://materials.lightsmith.dev/v1/datasets/ds_1ef39096d230/lightsmith"
bi = ls.Tabulated.model_validate(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(url)))
print(bi.source)  # citation and provenance travel with the data

Any dataset here, as the library's Tabulated material (bi/hagemann-1974).

# ... load bi as above, then:
sim = ls.Simulation(
    particles=[ls.Particle(shape=ls.Sphere(radius_nm=50), material=bi)],
    medium_index=1.0,
    wavelengths=ls.WavelengthRange(start_nm=400, stop_nm=1000, num=81),
)
res = ls.solve(sim)  # exact Mie for a sphere
print(res.q_ext)     # extinction efficiency at each wavelength

Same spec runs with DDA, FDTD, BEM or T-matrix: ls.compare(sim, ["mie", "dda"]).

Materials guide Open a sphere of it in Studio Quick start Ask the community

Lightsmith is open source (MIT): Mie, T-matrix, BEM, DDA, FDTD, RCWA, TMM, mode solvers and inverse design behind one spec, on CPU or GPU. GitHub.

About Bi (Bismuth)

Bismuth (Bi) is a heavy, brittle metal with a number of unique properties, including a low thermal conductivity and a high electrical resistivity. While it is not traditionally used in mainstream optical applications, bismuth compounds like bismuth germanate (BGO) and bismuth silicate (BSO) have garnered attention in scintillation detectors and nonlinear optics, respectively. Pure bismuth has a high refractive index and is transparent to various infrared wavelengths, making it potentially useful for specialized optical components in the IR range. However, it is mostly used in alloyed or compound form due to its brittleness and difficulty in fabrication. One key limitation in using bismuth or its compounds in optical applications is its relatively low melting point, which restricts its utility in high-temperature environments. Nonetheless, the metal's unique electrical and thermal properties, as well as its capacity to form compounds with interesting optical characteristics, make it a subject of ongoing research in the field of material science and optics.

Other names: Bismuth

API: /v1/materials/mat_731bdd2cf62d · slug bi