Kerr effect
nounPhysics.
the double refraction of light in certain substances, produced by an electric field.
Origin of Kerr effect
11905–10; named after John Kerr (1824–1907), Scottish physicist
Words Nearby Kerr effect
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for Kerr effect
Kerr effect
noun
Also called: electro-optical effect the production of double refraction in certain transparent substances by the application of a strong electric field
Also called: magneto-optical effect a slight elliptical polarization of plane polarized light when reflected from one of the poles of a strong magnet
Origin of Kerr effect
1C19: named after John Kerr (1824–1907), Scottish physicist
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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