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Glite Dictionary
birefringent

birefringent

1 9.9
A material that makes light split into two rays that move in different directions and at different speeds
  • adjective
  • /ˌbaɪrɪˈfrɪndʒənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : birefringente
  • Scientists often study birefringent materials to understand how light behaves in different media.

Examples

  • But what it also does, glass is what we call a birefringent material, which means it bends light.

  • Calcite is a birefringent mineral that splits light into two rays when it passes through.

  • When viewed through a birefringent lens, the image appears in two distinct forms.

How Birefringent

birefringent
  • Specialized
1 9.9
isotropic
  • Specialized
1 8.9

Surface Forms

birefringent positive

Morphology

birefringent = refringent (semi-transparent) = bi + refring + ent

Formed by adding the prefix 'bi-' (two) to 'refringent' ('refracting'); the composition is regular but the root 'refringent' and the optical concept are technical and not fully guessable by a general B1 learner.

Etymology

Birefringent comes from bi- meaning 'two' and refringent from a root meaning 'to break', as in refract or fracture. So a birefringent material is one that 'breaks' or splits light into two rays, which explains its modern meaning.