The mixture of a pure liquid and a solution in a long vertical column (i.e., horizontal dimensions << vertical dimensions) produces diffusion of solute particles and hence a refractive index gradient along the vertical dimension. A ray of light entering the column at right angles to the vertical is deviated from its original path. Find the deviation in traveling a horizontal distance d << h, the height of the column.
Explanation:-
Let us consider a portion of a ray between x and inside the liquid solution.
Let us assume that the angle of the incidence ray is and
Let the ray enter the thin column at the height y.
As a result of the refraction, the ray deviates from its original path and subsequently emerges at with an angle
and at a height
From Snell's law,
Let the refractive index of the liquid at position y be then
Where refractive index gradient along the vertical dimension.
Hence from (i),
For small angle
But
Integrating both sides,