| Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary 1,733,779,797 visitors served. |
|
Dictionary/ thesaurus | Medical dictionary | Legal dictionary | Financial dictionary | Acronyms | Idioms | Encyclopedia | Wikipedia encyclopedia | ? |
iridescence |
Also found in: Medical, Wikipedia | 0.03 sec. |
|
iridescence (ĭr'ədĕs`əns), exhibition of rainbowlike colors on a surface. It usually results from interference interferometer. When the wavelength of the light is known, the interferometer indicates the thickness of the film by the interference patterns it forms. The reverse process, i.e., the measurement of the length of an unknown light wave, can also be carried out by the interferometer. ..... Click the link for more information. when light composed of different wavelengths is reflected from the superficial layers of organic or inorganic substances, e.g., minerals, mother-of-pearl, and the feathers of birds. Iridescence greatly enhances the value of certain gems. iridescence [‚ir·ə′des·əns] (optics) A rainbow color effect exhibited in various bodies as a result of interference in a thin film (as of soap bubbles or mother of pearl) or of diffraction of light reflected from a ribbed surface (as of the plumage of some birds). How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
|
| ? Mentioned in |
|---|
| Encyclopedia |
| Free Tools: |
For surfers:
Free toolbar & extensions |
Word of the Day |
Help
For webmasters: Free content | Linking | Lookup box | Double-click lookup | Partner with us |
|---|