scintillation (redirected from scintillations)

scintillation [‚sint·əl′ā·shən]

(electromagnetism)

A rapid apparent displacement of a target indication from its mean position on a radar display; one cause is shifting of the effective reflection point on the target. Also known as target glint; target scintillation; wander.

Random fluctuation, in radio propagation, of the received field about its mean value, the deviations usually being relatively small.

(lapidary)

The flashing, twinkling, or sparkling of light, or the alternating display of reflections, from the polished facets of a gemstone.

(nucleonics)

A flash of light produced in a phosphor by an ionizing particle or photon.

(optics)

Rapid changes of brightness of stars or other distant, celestial objects caused by variations in the density of the air through which the light passes.

Rapid changes in the values of irradiance over the cross section of a laser beam.