Refractive index and extinction coefficient of vapor-deposited water ice in the UV-Vis range

TL;DR

This study provides comprehensive broadband measurements of the refractive index and extinction coefficient of vapor-deposited water ice across 250-750 nm, addressing previous data gaps for astronomical applications.

Contribution

It introduces a rapid, broadband interference method combining monochromatic and broadband light to determine optical properties of water ice over a wide wavelength range.

Findings

Refractive index and extinction coefficient data for 250-750 nm.

Identification of a potential structural change in ice at 110-130 K.

Data useful for interpreting astronomical icy surface observations.

Abstract

Laboratory results of the optical properties of vapor-deposited water ice, specifically the refractive index and extinction coefficient, are available mainly for a selective set of wavelengths and a limited number of deposition temperatures. Experimental limitations are the main reason for the lack of broadband data, which is unfortunate as these quantities are needed to interpret and predict astronomical and planetary observations. The goal of this work is to address these lacking data, using an experimental broadband method that is capable of rapidly providing reliable water ice data across the entire UV-visible range. This approach combines the simultaneous use of a monochromatic HeNe laser and a broadband Xe-arc lamp to record interference fringes of water ice during deposition at astronomically relevant ice temperatures. The ice thickness is typically more than 20 $\mu$m. Analyzing the period and intensity patterns combining both the monochromatic and broadband interference patterns allows the determination of the wavelength-dependent refractive index and extinction coefficient. We present accurate refractive index and extinction coefficient graphs for wavelengths between 250 and 750 nm and ices deposited between 30 and 160 K. From our data, we find a possible structural change in the ice in the 110-130 K region that has not been reported before. We also discuss that the data presented in this paper can be used to interpret astronomical observations of icy surfaces.