Database of Optical Constants for Cosmic Dust

Optical Constants of Carbon Materials:

Optical constants have been derived :

from a pyrolysis experiment (carbonization of cellulose at different temperatures, Jaeger et al. 1998), by reflectance measurements at polished surfaces and an oscillator fit. Data are available from the UV throughout the infrared for the following pyrolysis temperatures (indicating increasing carbonization resp. graphitization) :

1000°C Spectra n-k-Data Link to a 300dpi and a 600dpi image 800°C Spectra n-k-Data Link to a 300dpi and a 600dpi image   600°C Spectra n-k-Data Link to a 300dpi and a 600dpi image   400°C Spectra n-k-Data Link to a 300dpi and a 600dpi image

Top Optical Database main page

from matrix-isolation spectroscopy of non-agglomerated carbon particles (Schnaiter et al. 1998). This unique experiment combined a molecular-beam method for extraction of carbon grains out of their condensation zone with the isolation of the particles in rare-gas matrices. This allowed UV spectroscopy at non-agglomerated grains and the application of simple Mie theory for evaluation of optical data. Data are available for carbon particles condensed in :

2/3 argon, 1/3 hydrogen Spectra n-k-data Link to a 300dpi and a 600dpi image   pure argon athmospere Spectra n-k-data Link to a 300dpi and a 600dpi image

Top Optical Database main page

from a sample of "presolar" nano-diamonds extracted from the Allende meteorite (Braatz et al. 2000, Mutschke et al. 2004). The data are based on transmission spectroscopy at VUV to IR wavelengths, taking scattering losses into account, and electron energy loss spectroscopy performed at the Fritz-Haber-Institut Berlin :

Meteoritic Diamonds Spectra n-k-Data Link to a 300dpi and a 600dpi image

Top

All n-k-Data tables consist of three columns. The first one contains the wavelength in micron (in the case of the Mg/Fe sulfides centimeter). The second one is the real part of the complex refractive index (n), the third one is the imaginary part (k). Values in brackets given after the chemical formulae are the material densities (if available).

For the details of the derivation of all n-k-Data we refer to the mentioned Publications (see the List of Publications).