Dictionary Home »
Science » birefringence
birefringence science definition
- The property or capacity of splitting a beam of light into two beams, each refracted at a different angle, and each polarized at a right angle to the other. Certain crystals such as calcite and quartz have this property.
- The difference in the index of refraction between two beams passing through a substance that has this property. See also refraction, index of refraction.
Learn more about birefringence