Energy gap–refractive index relations in semiconductors – An overview

An overview of the understanding of correlations between energy gap and refractive index of semiconductors is presented here. The atomic approach of Moss, the nearly free electron model of Penn, the oscillator concept of Wemple and the optical polarizability approach of Finkenrath are considered in this study. The Ravindra relation is discussed in the context of alternate approaches that have been presented in the literature. Case studies of applications of these relations to infrared materials and wide band gap semiconductors are presented.