Kerr effect

noun

Physics.

1. the double refraction of light in certain substances, produced by an electric field.

Kerr effect

noun

1. Also called: electro-optical effect. the production of double refraction in certain transparent substances by the application of a strong electric field

2. Also called: magneto-optical effect. a slight elliptical polarization of plane polarized light when reflected from one of the poles of a strong magnet

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kerr effect¹

1905–10; named after John Kerr (1824–1907), Scottish physicist

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kerr effect¹

C19: named after John Kerr (1824–1907), Scottish physicist

Example Sentences

This accumulation can be detected by taking advantage of the magneto-optic Kerr effect, in which the polarization, or orientation of the light, changes when it reflects from the surface of a magnet.

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Last but not least, the researchers used a series of optical techniques, including Raman spectroscopy and magneto-optical Kerr effect measurement, to show that the formation of the spin quadrupole moments occurs at higher temperatures than the magnetic order.

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“This is very interesting research, but there will be challenges applying this approach in the real world,” said Alan Huang, a former researcher at Bell Labs who has worked extensively with the “Kerr Effect,” a physical phenomenon that distorts optical signals, which the San Diego researchers are trying to overcome.

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