Measuring refractive index gradient of sugar solution

Abstract

To measure refractive index at a particular altitude in a solution with vertical refractive index gradient, a transparent wedge-shaped container was constructed altogether with the development of mathematical formula derived from the Snell’s law. The refractive index of the solution can be calculated by measuring the angles of incoming and outgoing laser beams relative to respective normal line. By varying height of the laser beam, the refractive index as a function of height of a sugar solution was obtained. This technique is applied to investigate Fata Morgana which is a kind of superior mirage resulting from bending of light in a medium with density gradient.