Abstract

The general expressions for the deviation, for the relative widths of the refracted and incident beams, and for the relation between errors in the measured quantities and the index of refraction have been derived for radiation in a principal section of a prism whose index of refraction is less than unity. It is shown that the maximum deviation that can be produced by refraction is equal to the deviation at the critical angle of reflection. It develops that for angles of incidence in the neighborhood of the critical angle of reflection the refracted beam is very broad. With the direction of the light reversed, that is, for large glancing angles of incidence and for values of glancing angles of emergence with the second surface in the region of the critical angle, the refracted beam is very sharp. Diagrams are given to show the relationships in the case of a prism whose index of refraction is 1−10⁻⁵. It is pointed out that, assuming ideal conditions, the best experimental arrangement would be one using a right-angled prism with a glancing angle of incidence equal to 90° (angle of incidence equal to zero).

© 1929 Optical Society of America

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