Stony Brook Optical Constant Databse

We are currently working to determine the optical constants (n and k) of many minerals at various orientations. For uniaxial minerals, we determine n and k for the O and E rays. For other minerals, we determine n and k for principle axial directions. I determine n and k by acquiring mid-IR emissivity or reflectance spectra and applying dispersion theory to generate optical constants that provide  best-fit models to the measured spectra. Check back often to find new data. In the data files, the x axis is in wavenumber (cm^-1) units.

Mineral Optical Constants

Oxides

Hematite (From Glotch, 2004, Ph.D. Dissertation; Glotch et al., 2006; Glotch and Rossman, manuscript in preparation)
Magnetite
Goethite
Lepidocrocite
Akaganéite

Silica Polymorphs (Spectra by Michalski et al., 2003; Optical constants by Glotch et al., 2006, Div. Planet. Sci., 38, abstract 62.05)

Tridymite
Cristobalite
Coesite
Opal-A
Opal-Ct

Phyllosilicates (Glotch et al., 2008)

Dioctahedral Smectites:
Montmorillonite SWy-1  
Beidellite SBId-1  
Nontronite NAu-1  
 

Trioctahedral Smectites:
Hectorite SHCa-1 
Saponite SpNv-1 

Kaolinite Group:
Kaolinite KGa-1
Halloysite HWw-1  

Serpentine Group:
Serpentine BUR-1690 (Antigorite) 

Other:
Cronstedtite 112792     Updated 10/9/06 Sample not well characterized--use with caution!

Updated 12/4/07