half-wave plate

[ haf-weyv, hahf- ]

/ ˈhæfˌweɪv, ˈhɑf- /

noun Optics.

a crystal thin enough to cause a phase difference of 180° between the ordinary and extraordinary rays of polarized light, thereby changing the direction of the plane of polarization.

Nearby words

half-truth, half-turn, half-turning, half-used, half-volley, half-wave plate, half-wave rectifier, half-wit, half-witted, half-year, halfback

Compare quarter-wave plate.

Origin of half-wave plate

First recorded in 1900–05