Optical constants

Refractive index of (C₁₆H₁₄O₃)_n (Polycarbonate, PC)

Sultanova et al. 2009: n 0.437–1.05 µm

Data: formula 2
Range: 0.4368–1.052 µm
Temperature: 293 K
Licence: CC0-1.0

Axis Log x Log y

Click the plot to set the calculator wavelength.

At one wavelength

Refractive index n: 1.58476
Extinction coefficient k: 0

Permittivity ε₁: 2.51146
Permittivity ε₂: 0

Absorption coefficient α: 0 cm⁻¹
Penetration depth δ = λ/(2πk): — nm

Abbe number V_d: 27.858
Chromatic dispersion dn/dλ: -0.106735 µm⁻¹

Group index n_g: 1.64748
Group velocity dispersion: 210.365 fs²/mm

Dispersion parameter D: -1147.65 ps/(nm·km)
Photon energy: 2.11001 eV

ε = (n + ik)², α = 4πk/λ, n_g = n − λ dn/dλ, GVD = λ³/(2πc²) d²n/dλ², D = −(λ/c) d²n/dλ². Group-velocity dispersion is given for formula data only.

Use it in Lightsmith

Load this data in Python, simulate in one more line

pip install lightsmith

import lightsmith as ls

# (C16H14O3)n (Polycarbonate, PC): Sultanova et al. 2009: n 0.437–1.05 µm
polycarbonate = ls.fetch_refractiveindex("organic", "polycarbonate", "Sultanova", ref="c5c2f188e848453def5970e347399d653df2ffc2")
print(polycarbonate.range_nm)  # (436.8, 1052) nm
eps = polycarbonate.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_fb870ca2ddf7/lightsmith"
polycarbonate = ls.Tabulated.model_validate(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(url)))
print(polycarbonate.source)  # citation and provenance travel with the data

Any dataset here, as the library's Tabulated material (polycarbonate/sultanova-2009).

# ... load polycarbonate as above, then:
sim = ls.Simulation(
    particles=[ls.Particle(shape=ls.Sphere(radius_nm=50), material=polycarbonate)],
    medium_index=1.0,
    wavelengths=ls.WavelengthRange(start_nm=437, 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"]).

import json, urllib.request
import lightsmith as ls

url = "https://materials.lightsmith.dev/v1/datasets/ds_fb870ca2ddf7/lightsmith?model=drude_lorentz"
polycarbonate_dl = ls.DrudeLorentz.model_validate(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(url)))

A dispersive Drude–Lorentz model for time-domain solvers.

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.

Dispersion formula

Sellmeier (C in µm²) (formula 2), λ in µm

n^{2} - 1 = \frac{1.4182 λ^{2}}{λ^{2} - 0.021304}

Valid from 0.4368 to 1.052 µm.

Coefficients as stored

C_i	Value
C1	0.0
C2	1.4182
C3	0.021304

Comments and conditions

20 °C

Conditions

temperature: 293 K

References

N. Sultanova, S. Kasarova, I. Nikolov. Dispersion properties of optical polymers. Acta Physica Polonica A 116, 585-587 (2009)
(fit of the experimental data with the Sellmeier dispersion formula: Mikhail Polyanskiy)

Cite

N. Sultanova, S. Kasarova, I. Nikolov. Dispersion properties of optical polymers. Acta Physica Polonica A 116, 585-587 (2009); Data from the refractiveindex.info database (M. N. Polyanskiy, Sci. Data 11, 94 (2024), doi:10.1038/s41597-023-02898-2)

Data

Computed on 400 wavelengths, the same grid as the API and the library

CSV comma separated TXT tab separated YAML n, k Full database record original YAML All quantities CSV JSON metadata

(C16H14O3)n (Polycarbonate, PC), Sultanova et al. 2009: n 0.437–1.05 µm: n and k versus wavelength
λ (µm)	n
0.4368	1.611353
0.437763	1.61108
0.438729	1.610808
0.439696	1.610537
0.440666	1.610268
0.441638	1.61
0.442612	1.609734
0.443588	1.609469
0.444566	1.609205
0.445547	1.608943
0.446529	1.608682
0.447514	1.608422
0.448501	1.608164
0.44949	1.607908
0.450481	1.607652
0.451475	1.607398
0.45247	1.607146
0.453468	1.606894
0.454468	1.606644
0.455471	1.606396
0.456475	1.606148
0.457482	1.605902
0.458491	1.605657
0.459502	1.605414
0.460515	1.605171
0.461531	1.60493
0.462549	1.604691
0.463569	1.604452
0.464591	1.604215
0.465616	1.603979
0.466643	1.603744
0.467672	1.603511
0.468703	1.603278
0.469737	1.603047
0.470773	1.602817
0.471811	1.602589
0.472851	1.602361
0.473894	1.602135
0.474939	1.601909
0.475987	1.601685
0.477037	1.601462
0.478089	1.601241
0.479143	1.60102
0.4802	1.600801
0.481259	1.600582
0.48232	1.600365
0.483384	1.600149
0.48445	1.599934
0.485518	1.59972
0.486589	1.599507
0.487662	1.599296
0.488737	1.599085
0.489815	1.598876
0.490895	1.598667
0.491978	1.59846
0.493063	1.598254
0.49415	1.598048
0.49524	1.597844
0.496332	1.597641
0.497427	1.597439
0.498524	1.597238
0.499623	1.597038
0.500725	1.596839
0.50183	1.596641
0.502936	1.596443
0.504045	1.596247
0.505157	1.596052
0.506271	1.595858
0.507388	1.595665
0.508507	1.595473
0.509628	1.595282
0.510752	1.595092
0.511878	1.594903
0.513007	1.594714
0.514139	1.594527
0.515273	1.594341
0.516409	1.594155
0.517548	1.593971
0.518689	1.593787
0.519833	1.593605
0.520979	1.593423
0.522128	1.593242
0.52328	1.593063
0.524434	1.592884
0.52559	1.592706
0.52675	1.592528
0.527911	1.592352
0.529076	1.592177
0.530242	1.592002
0.531412	1.591829
0.532584	1.591656
0.533758	1.591484
0.534935	1.591313
0.536115	1.591143
0.537297	1.590973
0.538482	1.590805
0.53967	1.590637
0.54086	1.59047
0.542053	1.590304
0.543248	1.590139
0.544446	1.589975
0.545647	1.589811
0.54685	1.589648
0.548056	1.589487
0.549265	1.589325
0.550476	1.589165
0.55169	1.589006
0.552907	1.588847
0.554126	1.588689
0.555349	1.588532
0.556573	1.588375
0.557801	1.58822
0.559031	1.588065
0.560264	1.587911
0.561499	1.587758
0.562738	1.587605
0.563979	1.587453
0.565222	1.587302
0.566469	1.587152
0.567718	1.587002
0.56897	1.586854
0.570225	1.586705
0.571483	1.586558
0.572743	1.586411
0.574006	1.586266
0.575272	1.58612
0.576541	1.585976
0.577812	1.585832
0.579086	1.585689
0.580364	1.585547
0.581643	1.585405
0.582926	1.585264
0.584212	1.585124
0.5855	1.584984
0.586791	1.584845
0.588085	1.584707
0.589382	1.584569
0.590682	1.584432
0.591985	1.584296
0.59329	1.584161
0.594599	1.584026
0.59591	1.583891
0.597224	1.583758
0.598541	1.583625
0.599861	1.583493
0.601184	1.583361
0.60251	1.58323
0.603839	1.5831
0.605171	1.58297
0.606505	1.582841
0.607843	1.582712
0.609183	1.582584
0.610527	1.582457
0.611873	1.58233
0.613223	1.582204
0.614575	1.582079
0.61593	1.581954
0.617289	1.58183
0.61865	1.581706
0.620014	1.581583
0.621382	1.581461
0.622752	1.581339
0.624126	1.581218
0.625502	1.581097
0.626882	1.580977
0.628264	1.580858
0.62965	1.580739
0.631038	1.580621
0.63243	1.580503
0.633825	1.580386
0.635222	1.580269
0.636623	1.580153
0.638027	1.580038
0.639434	1.579923
0.640845	1.579808
0.642258	1.579694
0.643674	1.579581
0.645094	1.579468
0.646516	1.579356
0.647942	1.579244
0.649371	1.579133
0.650803	1.579023
0.652239	1.578913
0.653677	1.578803
0.655119	1.578694
0.656563	1.578585
0.658011	1.578478
0.659463	1.57837
0.660917	1.578263
0.662374	1.578157
0.663835	1.578051
0.665299	1.577945
0.666766	1.57784
0.668237	1.577736
0.669711	1.577632
0.671188	1.577529
0.672668	1.577426
0.674151	1.577323
0.675638	1.577221
0.677128	1.57712
0.678621	1.577019
0.680118	1.576918
0.681618	1.576818
0.683121	1.576719
0.684628	1.57662
0.686138	1.576521
0.687651	1.576423
0.689167	1.576325
0.690687	1.576228
0.69221	1.576131
0.693737	1.576035
0.695267	1.575939
0.6968	1.575844
0.698337	1.575749
0.699877	1.575654
0.70142	1.57556
0.702967	1.575467
0.704518	1.575373
0.706071	1.575281
0.707628	1.575188
0.709189	1.575097
0.710753	1.575005
0.712321	1.574914
0.713892	1.574824
0.715466	1.574734
0.717044	1.574644
0.718625	1.574555
0.72021	1.574466
0.721798	1.574377
0.72339	1.574289
0.724985	1.574202
0.726584	1.574115
0.728187	1.574028
0.729793	1.573942
0.731402	1.573856
0.733015	1.57377
0.734632	1.573685
0.736252	1.5736
0.737875	1.573516
0.739503	1.573432
0.741134	1.573348
0.742768	1.573265
0.744406	1.573182
0.746048	1.5731
0.747693	1.573018
0.749342	1.572936
0.750995	1.572855
0.752651	1.572774
0.754311	1.572694
0.755974	1.572614
0.757642	1.572534
0.759312	1.572455
0.760987	1.572376
0.762665	1.572297
0.764347	1.572219
0.766033	1.572141
0.767722	1.572064
0.769415	1.571986
0.771112	1.57191
0.772813	1.571833
0.774517	1.571757
0.776225	1.571681
0.777937	1.571606
0.779653	1.571531
0.781372	1.571456
0.783095	1.571382
0.784822	1.571308
0.786553	1.571235
0.788288	1.571161
0.790026	1.571088
0.791769	1.571016
0.793515	1.570943
0.795265	1.570872
0.797019	1.5708
0.798776	1.570729
0.800538	1.570658
0.802303	1.570587
0.804073	1.570517
0.805846	1.570447
0.807623	1.570377
0.809404	1.570308
0.811189	1.570239
0.812978	1.570171
0.814771	1.570102
0.816568	1.570034
0.818369	1.569967
0.820174	1.569899
0.821983	1.569832
0.823795	1.569765
0.825612	1.569699
0.827433	1.569633
0.829258	1.569567
0.831086	1.569501
0.832919	1.569436
0.834756	1.569371
0.836597	1.569307
0.838442	1.569242
0.840291	1.569178
0.842144	1.569115
0.844002	1.569051
0.845863	1.568988
0.847728	1.568925
0.849598	1.568863
0.851472	1.5688
0.853349	1.568739
0.855231	1.568677
0.857117	1.568615
0.859008	1.568554
0.860902	1.568493
0.862801	1.568433
0.864704	1.568373
0.866611	1.568313
0.868522	1.568253
0.870437	1.568193
0.872357	1.568134
0.874281	1.568075
0.876209	1.568017
0.878141	1.567958
0.880078	1.5679
0.882019	1.567843
0.883964	1.567785
0.885913	1.567728
0.887867	1.567671
0.889825	1.567614
0.891788	1.567557
0.893754	1.567501
0.895725	1.567445
0.897701	1.567389
0.89968	1.567334
0.901665	1.567279
0.903653	1.567224
0.905646	1.567169
0.907643	1.567115
0.909645	1.56706
0.911651	1.567007
0.913662	1.566953
0.915677	1.566899
0.917696	1.566846
0.91972	1.566793
0.921748	1.56674
0.923781	1.566688
0.925818	1.566636
0.92786	1.566584
0.929906	1.566532
0.931957	1.56648
0.934012	1.566429
0.936072	1.566378
0.938137	1.566327
0.940205	1.566277
0.942279	1.566226
0.944357	1.566176
0.94644	1.566126
0.948527	1.566077
0.950619	1.566027
0.952715	1.565978
0.954816	1.565929
0.956922	1.56588
0.959032	1.565832
0.961147	1.565783
0.963267	1.565735
0.965392	1.565687
0.967521	1.56564
0.969654	1.565592
0.971793	1.565545
0.973936	1.565498
0.976084	1.565451
0.978236	1.565405
0.980394	1.565358
0.982556	1.565312
0.984723	1.565266
0.986894	1.56522
0.989071	1.565175
0.991252	1.56513
0.993438	1.565084
0.995629	1.565039
0.997825	1.564995
1.00003	1.56495
1.00223	1.564906
1.00444	1.564862
1.00666	1.564818
1.00888	1.564774
1.0111	1.564731
1.01333	1.564688
1.01557	1.564644
1.01781	1.564601
1.02005	1.564559
1.0223	1.564516
1.02455	1.564474
1.02681	1.564432
1.02908	1.56439
1.03135	1.564348
1.03362	1.564307
1.0359	1.564265
1.03819	1.564224
1.04048	1.564183
1.04277	1.564142
1.04507	1.564102
1.04738	1.564061
1.04969	1.564021
1.052	1.563981

Optical transmission calculator

Free-standing sample in vacuum, normal incidence

Transmittance T: —
Reflectance R: —

Fresnel reflection calculator

R_p: —
R_s: —
R = (R_p+R_s)/2: —
Phase φ_p: —
Phase φ_s: —
Brewster angle θ_B: —
Critical angle θ_C: —

(C₁₆H₁₄O₃)_n (Polycarbonate, PC): all datasets

About (C16H14O3)n (Polycarbonate, PC)

Polycarbonate (PC, (C₁₆H₁₄O₃)_n) is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer characterized by its remarkable transparency, high impact resistance, and stability over a wide temperature range. Derived from phosgene (COCl₂) and bisphenol A (or other bisphenols), its backbone incorporates carbonate groups (-O-(C=O)-O-). This structure imparts PC with its unique blend of properties. Notably, polycarbonate sheets are optically clear (with light transmission similar to glass) and are used where transparency is essential, such as in eyewear lenses, optical discs, and automotive headlights. Additionally, its excellent mechanical properties make it suitable for bulletproof windows, safety helmets, and electronic housings. However, while PC exhibits good resistance to UV radiation, it can yellow over time with prolonged exposure. It's also prone to scratching, which is why many commercial PC products, like eyeglasses, often come with an applied anti-scratch coating. In terms of its refractive properties, the inherent clarity and ability to be molded into complex shapes make polycarbonate a sought-after material for optical applications.

Polycarbonate - Wikipedia

More about (C16H14O3)n (Polycarbonate, PC) →

Listed in

Provenance

Version: 1 (snapshot c5c2f18)
Source page: refractiveindex.info
Original file: database/data/organic/(C16H14O3)n - polycarbonate/nk/Sultanova.yml
ID: ds_fb870ca2ddf7
API: /v1/datasets/ds_fb870ca2ddf7

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