birefringence
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Related to birefringence: circular birefringence
bi·re·frin·gence
(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.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
birefringence
(ˌbaɪrɪˈfrɪndʒəns)n
(General Physics) another name for double refraction
ˌbireˈfringent adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
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]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
birefringence
double refraction; the separation of light into two unequally refracted, polarized rays, as by some crystals. — birefringent, adj.
See also: Light-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Noun | 1. | birefringence - splitting a ray into two parallel rays polarized perpendicularly refraction - the change in direction of a propagating wave (light or sound) when passing from one medium to another |
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