Infrared refractive indices of liquid crystals

The refractive indices of E7 liquid-crystal mixture were measured at six visible and two infrared (lambda=1.55 and 10.6 mu m) wavelengths at different temperatures, using Abbe and wedged cell refractometer methods, respectively. The experimental data of the visible wavelengths fit the extended Cauchy equations well. Using the extended Cauchy equations, we can extrapolate the refractive indices of E7 to IR. The extrapolated results almost strike through the measured data. Thus, the extended Cauchy equations can be used to link the visible refractive indices to infrared, where the refractive index measurements are more difficult. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics