schlieren

/ˈʃlɪrən/
noun
  1. Plural of schliere; streaks or wavy lines in a transparent material caused by variations in density or composition.
    • The glass contained several schlieren that distorted the view.
    • The technician examined the schlieren in the optical lens.
    • Schlieren in the water indicated temperature differences.
  2. A technique or method used to visualize variations in density in a transparent medium, such as air or liquid, often using special photography.
    • Engineers used schlieren imaging to study airflow over the airplane wing.
    • Schlieren photography captured the heat waves rising from the pavement.
    • The lab employed a schlieren system to observe shock waves.
Synonyms
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