Symbol n. The absolute refractive index of a medium is the ratio of the speed of electromagnetic radiation in free space to the speed of the radiation in that medium. As the refractive index varies with wavelength, the wavelength should be specified. It is usually given for yellow light (sodium D-lines; wavelength 589.3 nm). The relative refractive index is the ratio of the speed of light in one medium to that in an adjacent medium.
The refractive index is given by the square root of the product of the relative permittivity (ε) of a medium and its relative permeability (μ); i.e. n=√(εμ). It is customary to take the positive square root. However, if both ε and μ are negative, as can happen in a metamaterial, it is necessary to take the negative square root; i.e. there is a negative refractive index.
See also refraction.