Birefringent is a term used in physics and optics to describe a material that has two different refractive indices, depending on the polarization of light passing through it. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of birefringent.
Definitions
Birefringent is defined as a material that has two different refractive indices for polarized light. It is also known as double refraction, as it splits light into two beams with different refractive indices. This phenomenon occurs due to the anisotropic nature of the material, which means that its physical properties vary with direction.
Origin
The term birefringent comes from the Greek words “bi” meaning two, “refringere” meaning to break, and “entos” meaning within. The first recorded use of the term was in 1852 by the French physicist Augustin Fresnel.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster, birefringent is defined as “exhibiting double refraction”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “having two different refractive indices for light of different polarizations”.
Associations
Birefringent materials are commonly found in nature, such as in minerals like calcite and quartz. They are also used in various applications, including polarizers, wave plates, and optical filters. Birefringent materials are used in the field of medicine for imaging techniques like polarized light microscopy and optical coherence tomography.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of birefringent include double refraction, anisotropic, dichroic, and polarizing.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for birefringent, as it is a specific property of certain materials.
The same root words
The root words of birefringent are “bi” meaning two and “refringere” meaning to break. Other words that share the same root words include bifocal, bicycle, and bifurcate.
Example Sentences
- The polarizer is made of a birefringent material that splits light into two beams.
- The crystal’s birefringent properties were studied using polarized light microscopy.
- The optical filter was made of a birefringent material that only allowed light of a certain polarization to pass through.