On the theory of the temperature dependence of the refractive index of homopolar crystals

Abstract

The temperature dependence of the refractive index and the dielectric constant of homopolar semi-conductors with a diamond structure was derived within the framework of the Kramers-Heisenberg theory. The temperature dependence of the dispersion frequencies was determined by a method analogous to the procedure in the investigation of the temperature dependence of absorption curves. It is shown that this procedure permits a satisfactory interpretation of present-day experimental knowledge for diamond, silicon and germanium.