birefringent
/ˌbaɪrɪˈfrɪndʒənt/
adjective
- Describes a material that splits a beam of light into two separate rays, each traveling at a different speed.
- Calcite crystals are naturally birefringent, creating a double image when you look through them.
- The scientist used a birefringent filter to study the stress patterns in the plastic.
- Some liquid crystals are birefringent, which is why they are used in many types of displays.