11.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents intrinsic properties of optical materials useful in the visible and infrared spectral regions. Materials discussed include insulators, semiconductors, and metals. Crystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous (glassy) materials are considered. Only materials with a reasonably complete and consistent set of property data are included. Applications for these materials include bulk optics (windows, lenses, prisms, beamsplitters, etc.), optical fibers, mirrors, and thin film coatings (spectral and neutral density filters, protective and antireflective coatings).

Both commonly used and relatively new optical materials are included. Emphasis is on data, formulas, and references. Physical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties are given. Optical properties are summarized as parameters for index of refraction and absorption coefficient formulas that allow calculation of these quantities over broad spectral regions. Room-temperature properties are emphasized. The data are complemented with a short section on the origin of properties (especially optical) that includes a descriptive explanation of the underlying physics.

Previous compilations of optical property data are given in Refs. 1 to 12. Extensive references are also provided.