ABSTRACT
The refractive index (RI) of polymer nanocomposite of poly(vinyl alcohol) films with TiO(2) nanoparticle inclusions with low concentration up to 1.2 wt. % was investigated. Accurate refractometric measurements, by a specially designed laser microrefractometer, were performed at wavelengths 532 and 632.8 nm. The influence of TiO(2) concentration on the RI dispersion curves was predicted based on the well-known Sellmeier model. The theoretical analysis, in a small filling factor approximation, was performed, and a relation between the effective RI of the nanocomposite and weight concentrations of the TiO(2) nanofiller was derived. The experimental values were approximated by two different functions (linear and a quadratic polynom). The polynomial approximation yields better result, where R(2)=0.90.
ABSTRACT
We present refractometric measurements made in the 266-1064-nm spectral region with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser, and the second, third, and fourth harmonics of the laser's fundamental wavelength. The critical angle is determined by the disappearance of the diffraction orders from a metal grating, forming a microcuvette with the prism's reflecting wall. A fused-silica measuring prism is used in the experiments.
