The complex refractive index of water

A spectrum of the imaginary part of the complex index of refraction for water as a function of wave number was compiled from the literature and theoretical considerations. The spectrum ranged from 10⁻⁶ through 10⁸ cm⁻¹. The curve was adjusted within the limits of error for the data used until an electronic sum rule gave proper results. The spectrum was then appropriately Fourier transformed to yield the real part of the complex refractive index. The results of several calculations over various ranges were combined into one spectrum over the range 10⁻³ through 10⁶ cm⁻¹. Both real and imaginary parts are presented in graphical and tabular form.