birefringence

bi·re·frin·gence

B0276700 (bī′rĭ-frĭn′jəns)n. The resolution or splitting of a light wave into two unequally reflected or transmitted waves by an optically anisotropic medium such as calcite or quartz. Also called double refraction.

bi′re·frin′gent adj.

birefringence

(ˌbaɪrɪˈfrɪndʒəns) n (General Physics) another name for double refraction ˌbireˈfringent adj

dou′ble refrac′tion

n. the separation of a ray of light into two unequally refracted, plane-polarized rays of orthogonal polarizations, occurring in crystals in which the velocity of light rays is not the same in all directions. Also called birefringence. [1870–75]

birefringence

double refraction; the separation of light into two unequally refracted, polarized rays, as by some crystals. — birefringent, adj.See also: Light

Thesaurus

Noun

birefringence - splitting a ray into two parallel rays polarized perpendicularlydouble refractionrefraction - the change in direction of a propagating wave (light or sound) when passing from one medium to another

birefringence

Birefringence

The splitting which a wavefront experiences when a wave disturbance is propagated in an anisotropic material; also called double refraction. In anisotropic substances the velocity of a wave is a function of displacement direction. Although the term birefringence could apply to transverse elastic waves, it is usually applied only to electromagnetic waves.

In birefringent materials either the separation between neighboring atomic structural units is different in different directions, or the bonds tying such units together have different characteristics in different directions. Many crystalline materials, such as calcite, quartz, and topaz, are birefringent. Diamonds, on the other hand, are isotropic and have no special effect on polarized light of different orientations. Plastics composed of long-chain molecules become anisotropic when stretched or compressed. Solutions of long-chain molecules become birefringent when they flow. This first phenomenon is called photoelasticity; the second, streaming birefringence. See Crystal optics, Polarized light, Refraction of waves

birefringence

[‚bī·ri′frin·jəns] (optics) Splitting of a light beam into two components, which travel at different velocities, by a material. For a light beam that has been split into two components by a material, the difference in the indices of refraction of the components within the material. Also known as double refraction.

birefringence

[bi″re-frin´jens] the quality of transmitting light unequally in different directions.

dou·ble re·frac·tion

the property of having more than one refractive index according to the direction of the transmitted light. Synonym(s): birefringence

birefringence

An optical property of materials in which the refractive index differs for light polarised in 1 plane compared to the normal (orthogonal) plane. Crossed Nicoll prisms cause birefringent material to appear bright against a dark background.
Birefringence types
Form birefringence—due to differences in molecular organisation of a material.
Stress birefringence—due to tension-related differences in molecular alignment.

Flow birefringence—due to differences in alignment of rod-like particles in fluids.

dou·ble re·frac·tion

(dŭb'ĕl rĕ-frak'shŭn) The property of having more than one refractive index according to the direction of the transmitted light.
Synonym(s): birefringence.

birefringence

Splitting of light into two separate beams.

birefringence

Property of anisotropic media such as crystals, whereby an incident light beam is split up into two beams, each plane polarized at right angles to the other. One beam, called ordinary, obeys Snell's law, while the other, called extraordinary, does not. Syn. double refraction. See anisotropic; law of refraction; Nicol prism; Wollaston prism.

birefringence

bi·re·frin·gence

birefringence

dou′ble refrac′tion

birefringence

birefringence

Birefringence

birefringence

birefringence

birefringence

dou·ble re·frac·tion

birefringence

dou·ble re·frac·tion

birefringence

birefringence

birefringence

Synonyms for birefringence

noun splitting a ray into two parallel rays polarized perpendicularly

Synonyms

Related Words