Optical properties and spectral reflectance of liquid mercury for photons of energy 1.55 to 3.54 eV

Normal-incidence and grazing-incidence reflectances of liquid Hg under vacuum and in contact with various dielectric overlayers have been measured in the visible spectral region at room temperature (24 °C). The results were consistent with the reflectances calculated from the optical constants determined by ellipsometry. The optical constants were also determined by fitting one of Fresnel's equations to reflectances measured as a function of angle of photon incidence at a MgF₂/liquid Hg interface. No evidence was found for transition layers on the surface of liquid Hg.