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birefringence
(redirected from Ordinary ray)

    Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
birefringence /bi·re·frin·gence/ (bi″-re-frin´jens) the quality of transmitting light unequally in different directions.birefrin´gent
bi·re·frin·gence (br-frnjns)
n.
The resolution or splitting of a light wave into two unequally reflected waves by an optically anisotropic medium such as calcite or quartz.
bire·fringent adj.
birefringence
the quality of transmitting light unequally in different directions.
birefringence 
Property of anisotropic media such as crystals, whereby an incident light beam is split up into two beams, each plane polarized at right angles to the other. One beam, called ordinary, obeys Snell's law, while the other, called extraordinary, does not. Syn. double refraction. See anisotropic; law of refraction; Nicol prism; Wollaston prism.


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