Hi Dominic
I use Jamin-Lebedeff interference microscopy. This technique uses polarised
light to measure path difference in comparison to a reference medium of known
refractive index. Contact me off the list if you would like some references
although the exact procedure would need to be modified for your material. I
should warn you that its a really tedious procedure !!

Regards - Lloyd Donaldson


greetings:
lloyd donaldson (if you're still following this RI discussion) and
anyone else who's done this. what method do you use to measure the index
of refraction of hte biological materials you mention.
we're interested in quantifying the RI of connective tissues of the
musculoskeletal system.

apologies if i missed this detail earlier.
dominic

Dominic Young, M.Sc.
_____________________________________________________
McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research
University of Calgary

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Telephone: (403)220-2238