diffraction

[ dih-frak-shuhn ]

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 diffraction pattern at the edge of a shadow.
2. the bending of waves, especially sound and light waves, around obstacles in their path.

diffraction

/ 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

diffraction

/ 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

diffraction

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffraction¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffraction¹

C17: from New Latin diffractiō a breaking to pieces, from Latin diffringere to shatter, from dis- apart + frangere to break

Example Sentences

X-ray diffraction — an imaging tool that reveals the arrangement of individual molecules — shows that the polymers change from their messy non-crystal phase at warm temperatures to an orderly crystal phase when they’re cooler.

From Science News For Students

Crystals were not the only possible forms of matter with orderly arrangements of atoms and pinpoint diffraction patterns.

From Nautilus

It was unlike any other diffraction pattern that Feynman had ever seen.

From Nautilus

The four-arm secondary mirror bracket helps cut down on light loss and diffraction spikes.

From Popular-Science

X-rays are then fired at these crystals, allowing a scientist to work backward from the diffraction patterns they make to build up a picture of the protein itself.

From Fortune

The phenomenon is purely optical, involving diffraction of light.

From Project Gutenberg

It is therefore certain that this is a phenomenon of the diffraction of light simply produced by the vesicles of the mist.

From Project Gutenberg

X-ray-diffraction studies showed no material differences, nor were there detectable differences in “feel”, smell, or plasticity.

From Project Gutenberg

Perfect transparency is obtained since there is neither refraction nor diffraction of the visible colors.

From Project Gutenberg

This diffraction of light first proved to us definitely the reality of the undulatory theory of light.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• emission