Design of a cryogenic high-accuracy absolute prism refractometer for infrared through far-ultraviolet optical materials

Abstract

The next generation of cryogenic, infrared (IR), space optical instrumentation (for NGST and other missions) will require a knowledge of refractive indices for constituent optical materials to a level of accuracy which is not currently attainable. The rationale for and design of a broadband, absolute, prism refractometer for measuring refractive index at cryogenic temperatures to very high absolute accuracy is discussed. The refractometer design also permits similar measurements through the far ultraviolet where accurate refractive index data are scarce for most UV optical materials. The technical challenges in achieving high accuracy in these wavelength regions and at extremely cold temperatures are presented, along with novel solutions under development to meet those challenges.