Kerr effect
Americannoun
noun
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Also called: electro-optical effect. the production of double refraction in certain transparent substances by the application of a strong electric field
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Also called: magneto-optical effect. a slight elliptical polarization of plane polarized light when reflected from one of the poles of a strong magnet
Etymology
Origin of Kerr effect
1905–10; named after John Kerr (1824–1907), Scottish physicist
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On its own, though, the optical Kerr effect is too weak to redirect a beam of light by an amount that would be useful in practical devices.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
The system relies on a phenomenon known as the optical Kerr effect.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
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.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 16, 2024
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