Varying Refractive Index

Sam0

14th April 2006 - 12:21 AM

Can someone please help me?

I believe there is a form of silicon or silica gel that when an electric current of some kind is applied it's refractive index is changed.

If so can someone please explain what the material is and what kind of charge is needed in order to replicate such an expermiment. Also if the change generated is significant eg n=+- 0.1 or more or even close to less.

Zephir

14th April 2006 - 03:34 AM

QUOTE (Sam0+Apr 14 2006, 03:21 AM)

I believe there is a form of silicon or silica gel that when an electric current of some kind is applied it's refractive index is changed.

The silicon is untransparent for the visible light, even silicagel (silica hydrogel) is not fully transparent, being partially opaque, in fact. But it contains a liquid, which can be replaced for example by some electrophoretic process, thus changing it's refraction point in the given range.

Sam0

16th April 2006 - 07:11 AM

I understand thanks
So is it not possible with solid forms of silicon.
I think there was an article about it in new scientist but it was quite a while ago

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