Empirical equation for the index of refraction of seawater

Abstract

We have determined an empirical equation for the index of refraction of water as a function of temperature, salinity, and wavelength at atmospheric pressure. The experimental data selected by Austin and Halikas ["The index of refraction of seawater," SIO Ref. 76-1 (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif., 1976)] were fitted to power series in the variables. A ten-parameter empirical equation that reproduces the original data to within its experimental errors was obtained.