potential index of refraction

potential index of refraction

[pə′ten·chəl ¦in‚deks əv ri′frak·shən]

(meteorology)

An atmospheric index of refraction so formulated that it would have no height variation in an adiabatic atmosphere. Also known as potential refractive index.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.