double refraction

American  

noun

Optics.

1. 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.

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double refraction British  

noun

1. Also called: birefringence.  the splitting of a ray of unpolarized light into two unequally refracted rays polarized in mutually perpendicular planes

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Etymology

Origin of double refraction

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

double refraction

If it contains no metal, when viewed by polarized light it will give a double refraction effect in handsome colors.

From Time Magazine Archive

Its double refraction is very large also, so that the doubling of the edges of the rear facets may easily be seen through the table with a lens.

From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram

For those who wish to study double refraction more in detail, Chapter VI., pages 40-52, of G. F. Herbert-Smith's Gem-Stones will serve admirably as a text.

From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram

He further proved that substances under pressure and strain could produce double refraction in them, as did glass under the same conditions in light.

From Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose His Life and Speeches by Bose, Jagadis Chandra, Sir

The difference γ − α represents the strength of the double refraction.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7 "Crocoite" to "Cuba" by Various