diffracted
Waves spread around
Diffracted describes light, sound, or other waves that have been bent or spread out after passing through a narrow opening or around an obstacle.
When light diffracts through a prism or grating, it separates into its component wavelengths: The diffracted light created a rainbow pattern on the wall.
The term belongs to physics but appears in literary contexts describing dispersed or scattered light.
Curving from straight
- spreadingExtending over space
- propagationAct of spreading widely
- wavefrontSurface of equal phase
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
edge · boundary · acoustics · sound · ultrasound · seismic · water wave · radio wave
Light-splitting optical element
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
slit · beamsplitter · wavelength · dispersion · spectral · angle · deviation · collimator
Boast with swagger
- X-rayPenetrating diagnostic beam
- electronNegative subatomic particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
crystal · scattering · structure · reflection · plane · polycrystalline · orientation · indexing
Outermost edge or margin
- bandGroup playing music together
- ringClosed curve shape
- spotMark or location
- iridescenceColor shift from interference
moire · prismatic · rainbow · spectral · concentric · radial · symmetry · intensity
Coexisting in multiple states
- constructivePromoting positive development
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- phase shiftChange in wave timing
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
Fresnel · Huygens · node · antinode · standing wave · fringe · cancellation · reinforcement
bending
Curving from straight
- spreadingExtending over space
- propagationAct of spreading widely
- wavefrontSurface of equal phase
obstacle · edge · boundary · acoustics · sound · ultrasound · seismic · water wave · radio wave · microwave
prism
Light-splitting optical element
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
aperture · slit · beamsplitter · wavelength · dispersion · spectral · angle · deviation · collimator · order
Bragg
Boast with swagger
- X-rayPenetrating diagnostic beam
- electronNegative subatomic particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
lattice · crystal · scattering · structure · reflection · plane · polycrystalline · orientation · indexing · crystallographic
fringe
Outermost edge or margin
iridescence · moire · prismatic · rainbow · spectral · concentric · radial · symmetry · intensity · gradient
superposition
Coexisting in multiple states
- constructivePromoting positive development
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- phase shiftChange in wave timing
coherence · Fresnel · Huygens · node · antinode · standing wave · fringe · cancellation · reinforcement
diffractedstraight
Not curved or crooked
rectilinear · unbent · undeflected · collimated · direct
diffractedfocused
Directing attention narrowly
collimated · concentrated · converged · coherent · unified
diffractedreflected
Cast back, as light
refracted · absorbed · transmitted · blocked · passed through
- electron diffractionCharged particles bent by crystals
- Fresnel diffractionLight bending near obstacles
diffraction, diffract, diffractive, diffractions, diffracting, diffracts