A type of event produced by the radial scattering of a wave into new wavefronts after the wave meets a discontinuity such as a fault surface, an unconformity or an abrupt change in rock type. Diffract [..]

The ability of a wave to bend around the edges of obstacles or holes. The effect is most noticeable when the obstacle or hole is comparable to the size of the wavelength.

A phenomenon exhibited by a light’s wave front when passing the edge of an opaque object (one that does not allow light to pass through it). The light becomes modulated, causing a redistribution of th [..]

1670s, from French diffraction (17c.) or directly from Modern Latin diffractionem (nominative diffractio), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin diffringere "break apart in pieces,&qu [..]

The bending of light when it enters from one medium into another. For example, light bends as it travels from air into water. Diffraction also occurs when light enters from the air into a mineral, and [..]

The bending of light around objects, such as cloud and fog droplets, producing fringes of light and dark or colored bands.

The process by which the direction of radiation is changed so that it spreads into the geometric shadow zone of an opaque or refractive object that lies in a radiation field. Diffraction is an optical [..]

The deviation of an electromagnetic wavefront from the path predicted by geometric optics when the wavefront interacts with, i.e., is restricted by, a physical object such as an opening (aperture) or an edge. Note: Diffraction is usually most noticeable for openings of the order of a wavelength. However, diffraction may still be important for apert [..]

The scattering (spreading) of light when the light passes an edge.

Diffraction is the scattering of a wave as it passes an obstruction or gap. The amount of diffraction increases as the wavelength approaches the size of the obstruction or gap.

The bending and scattering of waves as they move around an object.

  The deviation in the path of a wave that encounters the edge of an obstacle.

The bending of waves when moving past an opening or obstacle that has a size smaller than or equal to the wavelength.

bending of waves around a barrier (or obstruction) or traveling through an opening.  

The spreading of a wave disturbance into a region behind an obstruction .

The bending of light around the edge of an opaque object

Diffraction is a wave phenomenon - i.e. all types of wave can diffract. Diffraction means the bending of wave (change in direction) and it occurs whenever a wave passes near to an obstacle. Longer wav [..]

TC, HP, SP Diffraction is a wave phenomenon - i.e. all types of wave can diffract. Diffraction means the bending of wave (change in direction) and it occurs whenever a wave passes near to an obstacle [..]

spreading of waves on passing through a gap or near an edge

(context, 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.

(n) when light passes sharp edges or goes through narrow slits the rays are deflected and produce fringes of light and dark bands

When light passes by an object or through an opening it creates an interference pattern, due to the wave nature of light.

The bending of a wave as it moves around an obstacle or passes through an opening (Lessons 20, 21)

A wave process in which energy is transmitted along wave crests. When a wave train passes a barrier, diffraction causes energy to propogate into sheltered regions behind the barrier.

When sound encounters an obstacle, or travels through the stratified ocean, several things can happen. Upon reaching a suspended solid (plankton, fish, debris), some of the sound is scattered, either [..]

The "spreading" of waves into the lee of obstacles such as breakwaters by the transfer of wave energy along wave crests. Diffracted waves are lower in height than incident waves.

It is a phenomenon in which a light beam runs round the shade of an object when passing through the object. Light passes straight through when there are no obstacles, but generates this phenomenon whe [..]

a change in the direction and velocity of a wave front that is caused by the wave moving past an obstacle.

The phenomenon occurring when water waves are propagated into a sheltered region formed by a breakwater or similar barrier that interrupts a portion of the otherwise regular train of waves, resulting [..]

Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry Diffraction: The scattering of photon waves by an object such as an electron cloud, resulting in constructive or destructive interference. Electron clouds cas [..]

An optical effect which can soften photographs and make them less sharp. As long as light travels in straight lines, this phenomenon will not occur, but as soon as it starts to bend - disperse or &quo [..]

Bending of light rays as they pass very close to the edge of an obstacle. Causes noticeable loss of sharpness when lenses are used at small apertures.

When light is obstructed by an object and the wave front is changed, interference occurs between components of the altered wave front. The pattern formed by interference is called the diffraction patt [..]

The change in intensity distribution of waves caused by constructive and destructive interference as they contact an obstruction, yielding a distribution that differs from the incident wave-front' [..]

light rays scattered and change direction when they are passed through a small hole or close to an opaque surface.

A redistribution of light's energy when passing through the edge of an opague object.

The scattering of Neutrons by matter, especially crystals, with accompanying variation in intensity due to interference effects. It is useful in Crystallography and Powder Diffraction.

Method of using a polycrystalline powder and Rietveld Refinement (Least Squares Analysis) of X-Ray Diffraction or Neutron Diffraction. It circumvents the difficulties of producing single large crystal [..]

The scattering of X-Rays by matter, especially crystals, with accompanying variation in intensity due to interference effects. Analysis of the crystal structure of materials is performed by passing X- [..]

The bending of light when it enters from one medium into another. For example, light bends as it travels from air into another substance, such as water. Diffraction also occurs when light enters from [..]

The deflection and breaking up of a beam of light at the edge of an opaque body or through a narrow aperture; white light is broken up into a band of pure spectral colours. In precious opal, diffracti [..]

The bending of light around objects, such as clouds and fog droplets, producing fringes of light and dark colored bands.

The process where a light wave's direction is changed due to the wave coming into contact with a different medium. In the atmosphere this especially involves particle diffraction of sunlight, dif [..]

1. The bending of the rays of radiant energy around the edges of an obstacle or when passing near the edges of an opening, or through a small hole or slit, resulting in the formation of a spectrum. Se [..]

Spreading out of light as it passes the edge of an obstacle.

a change in the direction of a wave that is caused by the wave moving past or hitting an obstacle.

The result of light waves interfering with other after passing through a narrow aperture, causing them to bend or spread.

The result of light waves interfering with other after passing through a narrow aperture, causing them to bend or spread.

The result of light waves

The result of light waves interfering with other after passing through a narrow aperture, causing them to bend or spread.

The breaking up of a sound wave caused by some type of mechanical interference such as a cabinet edge, grill frame, or other similar object.

(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.