Dispersion and Scattering

When a wavelength changes index of refraction, there is some scattering of the wavelengths and this phenomena is called dispersion.

Dispersion

Different frequencies of light contain different phase velocities because of the material they pass through's properties. When the velocity differs, dispersion occurs. The most recognizable act of dispersion is seen in most transparent materials, when there is a decrease in index of refraction, which leads to an increase in wavelength.

Normal Dispersion

Dispersion that occurs in wavelength ranges where the material does not absorb light is normal dispersion. When a light travels through a transparent material, there is a decrease in index of refraction, which leads to an increase in the wavelength of the light. This is an example of normal dispersion, because the material doesn't absorb the light. Another example is the separation of colors that occurs when light passes through a glass prism. When the light comes into the surface of the prism, the light incident to the normal, at a certain angle, θ, will be refracted at an angle that is equal to arcsin(sin(θ)/n), according to Snell's law. This demonstrates why there is a rainbow patter, because a blue light, for example, has a high refractive index so its wavelength would be bent more strongly than red light, because red light has a smaller refractive index.

Material Dispersion

When light has a wavelength range that results in the medium having significant absorbing, the index of refraction can increase with wavelength, and result in material dispersion. This type of dispersion is characterized by the Abbe number: [math]\displaystyle{ {\frac{(n_D - 1)/(n_F - n_C)}}\lt math\gt ===Group Dispersion Delay Parameter=== What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example \lt math\gt {\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net} }[/math] where p is the momentum of the system and F is the net force from the surroundings.

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