dichroism

[dahy-kroh-iz-uhm]

noun

1. Crystallography.,  pleochroism of a uniaxial crystal such that it exhibits two different colors when viewed from two different directions under transmitted light.

2. Chemistry.,  the exhibition of essentially different colors by certain solutions in different degrees of dilution or concentration.

dichroism

/ ˈdaɪkrəʊˌɪzəm /

noun

1. Also called: dichromaticism. a property of a uniaxial crystal, such as tourmaline, of showing a perceptible difference in colour when viewed along two different axes in transmitted white light See also pleochroism

2. a property of certain solutions as a result of which the wavelength (colour) of the light transmitted depends on the concentration of the solution and the length of the path of the light within the solution

Word History and Origins

Origin of dichroism¹

1810–20; < Greek díchro ( os ) ( dichroic ) + -ism

Example Sentences

"Our team developed a new method to show that non-crystalline solids can exhibit helical dichroism, which means they react differently to light that twists in different directions," says Professor Bhardwaj.

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The authors used a method known as X-ray magnetic circular dichroism to confirm the magnetic ordering experimentally.

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Slates, shales and clays yield biotite hornfelses in which the most conspicuous mineral is black mica, in small scales which under the microscope are transparent and have a dark reddish-brown colour and strong dichroism.

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In the course of this paper he describes some very beautiful experiments with a tincture of Lignum nephriticum, wherein the dichroism of the extract is made apparent.

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This story is called a "dichronism"; but it might have been called a dichroism, for from one viewpoint it reflects only the clouded colour of earth, and from another a celestial glory.

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