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interferometry

interferometry

2 8.5
A method using overlapping waves like light to measure very small changes in distance accurately
  • noun
  • /ˌɪntərfɪˈrɒmətri/
  • Specialized
: interferometría
  • Many fundamental explorations of the bases of physics have been made using neutron interferometry.
  • Baseline interferometry
  • Long Baseline interferometry
  • Doppler interferometry

This technique is I mean that that that is time result spatially heterodyne interferometry.

Examples

  • Astronomers link the dishes together using a technique invented in the 1950s: interferometry.

    Academic text (1996)
  • At present, very long baseline interferometry can achieve a resolution of 0.5 milliarcseconds at a wavelength of 1.3 centimeters.

    Academic text (1996)
  • All of the things with the satellite dishes are these interferometry radio arrays.

  • The concept of radio interferometry was pioneered and developed most effectively by Martin Ryle in England.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Many physicists automatically connect the measurement of phase with the technique of interferometry.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The two were lab testing an idea for using optical interferometry to measure the angular diameters of stars.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Space-borne interferometry, with baselines tens of meters long, is under serious study.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Nulling interferometry with TPF will allow direct imaging and spectroscopy of Earth-like planets around nearby stars.

    Academic text (2000)
  • A new generation of detectors based on suspended mass interferometry promises to attain the requisite sensitivity for observing gravitational waves.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The scientists used interferometry to measure the distance between the stars with incredible precision.

How Accurate

interferometry
  • Specialized
2 8.5
spherometer
  • Specialized
9.9
ruler
24 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

interferometry = interference (semi-transparent) = interfere + metry

The relation between 'interference' (waves overlapping) and '-metry' (measurement) is conceptually clear, but the term is specialized and the suffix '-metry' is not familiar to many learners.

Etymology

Interferometry comes from inter- meaning 'between' and -metry meaning 'measure', and from the idea of 'interference' when two waves meet and change each other. So, interferometry is a way to 'measure' very small distances by watching the patterns made when waves meet.