electric double refraction
1double refraction — Optics. the separation of a ray of light into two unequally refracted, plane polarized rays of orthogonal polarizations, occurring in crystals in which the velocity of light rays is not the same in all directions. Also called birefringence. [1870 …
2Negative refraction — is the name for an electromagnetic phenomenon where light rays are refracted at an interface in the reverse sense to that normally expected. Such an effect can be obtained using a metamaterial which has been designed to achieve a negative value… …
3Refractive index — Refraction of light at the interface between two media. In optics the refractive index or index of refraction of a substance or medium is a measure of the speed of light in that medium. It is expressed as a ratio of the speed of light in vacuum… …
4light — light1 lightful, adj. lightfully, adv. /luyt/, n., adj., lighter, lightest, v., lighted or lit, lighting. n. 1. something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light. 2. Physics …
5radiation — radiational, adj. /ray dee ay sheuhn/, n. 1. Physics. a. the process in which energy is emitted as particles or waves. b. the complete process in which energy is emitted by one body, transmitted through an intervening medium or space, and… …
6electromagnetic radiation — Physics. radiation consisting of electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x rays, and gamma rays. [1950 55] * * * Energy propagated through free space or through a material medium in the form of… …
7Luminiferous aether — The luminiferous aether: it was hypothesised that the Earth moves through a medium of aether that carries light In the late 19th century, luminiferous aether or ether, meaning light bearing aether, was the term used to describe a medium for the… …
8History of Physics — History of Physics † Catholic Encyclopedia ► History of Physics The subject will be treated under the following heads: I. A Glance at Ancient Physics; II. Science and Early Christian Scholars; III. A Glance at Arabian Physics; IV.… …
9Birefringence — Displacement of light rays with perpendicular polarization through a birefringent material …
10physical science — physical scientist. 1. any of the natural sciences dealing with inanimate matter or with energy, as physics, chemistry, and astronomy. 2. these sciences collectively. [1835 45] * * * Introduction the systematic study of the inorganic world …
