K (Potassium)

6 datasets, together covering 0.116–10.15 µm. Default: Smith 1969: n,k 0.313–2.24 µm.

Compare datasets

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

Datasets

Use it in Lightsmith

Load this data in Python, simulate in one more line

pip install lightsmith

import lightsmith as ls

# K (Potassium): Smith 1969: n,k 0.313–2.24 µm
k = ls.fetch_refractiveindex("main", "K", "Smith", ref="c5c2f188e848453def5970e347399d653df2ffc2")
print(k.range_nm)  # (312.539, 2237.98) nm
eps = k.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_86c851b428a4/lightsmith"
k = ls.Tabulated.model_validate(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(url)))
print(k.source)  # citation and provenance travel with the data

Any dataset here, as the library's Tabulated material (k/smith-1969).

# ... load k as above, then:
sim = ls.Simulation(
    particles=[ls.Particle(shape=ls.Sphere(radius_nm=50), material=k)],
    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 K (Potassium)

Potassium (K) is an alkali metal that is highly reactive, especially with water. While potassium itself is not used in optical applications due to its reactivity and lack of transparency, its compounds, like potassium bromide (KBr) and potassium chloride (KCl), are highly useful. These compounds are often used in the form of transparent crystals for the transmission of infrared light in a range of spectroscopic techniques, including infrared spectroscopy. Potassium compounds can also serve as host materials for various dopants in solid-state lasers and optical amplifiers. Potassium's reactivity and solubility often necessitate special handling and storage conditions to maintain optical quality.

Other names: Potassium

API: /v1/materials/mat_907817916ed6 · slug k