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Refractiveindex.info database of optical constants.

Mikhail N Polyanskiy¹

¹Brookhaven National Laboratory, Accelerator Test Facility, Upton, NY, 11973, USA. polyanskiy@bnl.gov.

Scientific Data

|January 18, 2024

Summary

The refractiveindex.info database offers open-source optical constants for diverse materials. This curated dataset, sourced from publications and datasheets, enhances optics and photonics research.

Area of Science:

Optics and Photonics
Materials Science
Data Science

Background:

Optical constants are crucial for designing and understanding optical systems.
Existing data repositories are often fragmented or lack comprehensive metadata.
Advancing research requires accessible, reliable, and well-documented optical property data.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce the refractiveindex.info database, a novel open-source repository of optical constants.
To detail the dataset's origin, curation, and storage format.
To demonstrate the database's utility for the scientific community.

Main Methods:

Data compilation from peer-reviewed literature, manufacturer datasheets, and authoritative texts.
Standardization of optical constant data using a YAML-based format.

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Implementation of detailed metadata for each material record.

Main Results:

A comprehensive collection of optical constants for a wide range of materials.
A robust data format (YAML) ensuring data integrity and consistency.
A structured, library-like organization for user-friendly data retrieval.

Conclusions:

The refractiveindex.info database provides a valuable, open-source resource for the optics and photonics community.
The curated dataset and standardized format facilitate efficient research and development.
This initiative promotes data sharing and reproducibility in optical materials research.