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birefringence
(redirected from birefringent)

    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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Birefringent polymer pairs in microlayer films typically leak light when they are tilted and reflect only within a specific range of viewing angles.
Microlayer films: new uses for hundreds of layers: early microlayer ... by Schut, Jan H. / Plastics Technology
Although sapphire is birefringent, this issue can likely be addressed with optics to compensate for the birefringence.
Polarized [.sup.3]He spin filters for slow neutron physics by Walker, T.G. / Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
The crystals are birefringent with polarized light (figure 3) and are readily detected with an epifluorescent microscope.
Charcot-Leyden crystals: pathology and diagnostic utility by Balogh, Karoly / Ear, Nose and Throat Journal
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