diffraction

American  

[dih-frak-shuhn] / dɪˈfræk ʃən /

noun

Physics.

1. the phenomenon exhibited by wave fronts that, passing the edge of an opaque body, are modulated, thereby causing a redistribution of energy within the front: it is detectable in light waves by the presence of a pattern of closely spaced dark and light bands diffraction pattern at the edge of a shadow.

2. the bending of waves, especially sound and light waves, around obstacles in their path.

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diffraction British  

/ dɪˈfrækʃən /

noun

1. physics a deviation in the direction of a wave at the edge of an obstacle in its path

2. any phenomenon caused by diffraction and interference of light, such as the formation of light and dark fringes by the passage of light through a small aperture

3. deflection of sound waves caused by an obstacle or by nonhomogeneity of a medium

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diffraction Scientific  

/ dĭ-frăk′shən /

1. The bending and spreading of a wave, such as a light wave, around the edge of an object.

2. See more at wave

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diffraction Cultural  

1. The breaking up of an incoming wave by some sort of geometrical structure — for example, a series of slits — followed by reconstruction of the wave by interference. Diffraction of light is characterized by alternate bands of light and dark or bands of different colors.

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Etymology

Origin of diffraction

1665–75; < New Latin diffrāctiōn- (stem of diffrāctiō ) a breaking up, equivalent to Latin diffrāct ( us ) broken up (past participle of diffringere ) + -iōn- -ion. See dif-, fraction

Example Sentences

To address this, the researchers used tensor-polarization holography theory along with a convolutional neural network to recover all three types of data from diffraction intensity images.

From Science Daily

His research showed that plasma around the pulsar bends and spreads electromagnetic waves through diffraction, helping form the pattern.

From Science Daily

But its use in microscopy has been limited by a fundamental constraint known as the diffraction limit.

From Science Daily

The team also conducted detailed materials analysis and neutron diffraction experiments at ORNL's Spallation Neutron Source, a DOE Office of Science user facility.

From Science Daily

Additional electron diffraction measurements confirmed this behavior, providing strong evidence that this intermediate state exists in atomically thin, strongly bonded materials.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• emission