Skip to main content

Astronomy (thesaurus)

Search from vocabulary

Concept information

Preferred term

light diffraction  

Definition

  • A wave property of light which allows it to curl around obstacles whose size is about that of the wavelength of the light. As a wavefront of light passes by an opaque edge or through an opening, secondary weaker wavefronts are generated, apparently originating at that edge. These secondary wavefronts will interfere with the primary wavefront as well as with each other to form a diffraction pattern. (An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics, by M. Heydari-Malayeri, https://dictionary.obspm.fr/index.php?formSearchTextfield=diffraction&formSubmit=Search&showAll=1)

Broader concept

In other languages

URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-GKP47ZJ4-0

Download this concept: