diffracting
Waves bending around
Diffracting describes the process of light, sound, or other waves bending around obstacles or spreading out after passing through narrow openings.
When waves diffract, they don't travel in straight lines but curve and interfere with each other, creating characteristic patterns.
Light diffracting through a prism produces a rainbow of colors.
The term applies broadly in physics to any wave phenomenon exhibiting this behavior.
Unwelcome involvement in affairs
- wavefrontSurface of equal phase
- HuygensSeventeenth-century Dutch astronomer
- FresnelStepped-groove lens design
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
phase shift · constructive · destructive · coherent · incoherent · monochromatic · wavelength · wave theory
Boast with swagger
- crystal structureOrdered atomic arrangement in solids
- crystallographerOne who analyzes lattice structures
- synchrotronCircular charged-particle accelerator
- structural analysisCalculating forces in structures
Continuous range of values
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves
- dispersionScattering across space
- colorsVisual spectrum variations
iridescence · prism · spectral lines · chromatic · bands · separation · splitting · spectroscopy
Light-splitting optical element
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- slitNarrow elongated opening
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- pinholeMinute circular opening
beam splitter · spectrometer · collimator · laser · coherent light · waveguide · fiber optics · holography
interference
Unwelcome involvement in affairs
- wavefrontSurface of equal phase
- HuygensSeventeenth-century Dutch astronomer
- FresnelStepped-groove lens design
superposition · phase shift · constructive · destructive · coherent · incoherent · monochromatic · wavelength · wave theory
Bragg
Boast with swagger
- crystal structureOrdered atomic arrangement in solids
- crystallographerOne who analyzes lattice structures
- synchrotronCircular charged-particle accelerator
spectrum
Continuous range of values
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves
- dispersionScattering across space
colors · iridescence · prism · spectral lines · chromatic · bands · separation · splitting · spectroscopy · emission spectrum
prism
Light-splitting optical element
pinhole · beam splitter · spectrometer · collimator · laser · coherent light · waveguide · fiber optics · holography · interferometer
diffractingfocusing
Concentrating on one point
converging · collimating · concentrating · narrowing · collecting
diffractingreflecting
Bouncing back light
absorbing · transmitting · refracting · blocking · occluding
- electron diffractionCharged particles bent by crystals
- Fresnel diffractionLight bending near obstacles