Newton's rings

American  

plural noun

Optics.

1. the pattern of light interference produced by the contact of the convex surface of a lens with a plane glass plate, appearing as a series of concentric, alternately bright and dark rings, which are colored if the light source is white.

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Etymology

Origin of Newton's rings

1825–35; after I. Newton, who discovered them

Example Sentences

Figure 27.35 illustrates the phenomenon called Newton’s rings, which occurs when the plane surfaces of two lenses are placed together.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Lord Rayleigh supported this theory of the formation of Newton's rings by several interesting experiments.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 598, June 18, 1887 by Various

A magnified image of Newton's rings is now before you, and, by employing in succession red, blue, and white light, we obtain all the effects observed by Newton.

From Six Lectures on Light Delivered In The United States In 1872-1873 by Tyndall, John

If a ray of white light be reflected from the surface of the film upon a screen, the so-called Newton's rings, a series of colored concentric rings, are obtained.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 598, June 18, 1887 by Various

The singular and beautiful effect obtained with a circular plate of selenite, thin at the centre, and gradually thickening towards the circumference, is easily connected with a similar effect obtained with Newton's rings.

From Six Lectures on Light Delivered In The United States In 1872-1873 by Tyndall, John