Refractive index of the fly rhabdomere

The refractive index and the diameter of the fly rhabdomere were determined by comparing the experimental results derived from interference microscopy with the results of theoretical study on the scattering of plane waves by a homogeneous, isotropic cylindrical dielectric rod. It was found that the refractive index of the isolated rhabdomere of Calliphora erythrocephala is 1.363 +/- 0.003 in an area of the rhabdomere where its diameter is calculated to be 1.32 +/- 0.04 micrometers.