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diffraction

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

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English

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Etymology

From New Latin diffrāctiō (in which coined by Francesco Maria Grimaldi), from Latin diffrāctus, past participle of Latin diffringo (to shatter, to break into pieces). Coined in Physico-mathesis de lumine (1665) by Francesco Maria Grimaldi.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dɪˈfɹækʃən/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

diffraction (countable and uncountable, plural diffractions)

  1. (physics) The bending of a wave around an obstacle.
  2. (quantum mechanics) The breaking up of an electromagnetic wave as it passes a geometric structure (e.g. a slit), followed by reconstruction of the wave by interference.

Derived terms

Translations

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French

Pronunciation

Noun

diffraction f (plural diffractions)

  1. diffraction

Further reading

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