PHOTOREFRACTIVE Meaning and
Definition
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Photorefractive is an adjective used to describe a characteristic or property of certain materials that can change their refractive index when exposed to light. The term photorefractive is derived from combining two words: "photo," meaning light, and "refractive," referring to the bending or change in direction of light when it passes through a medium.
In photorefractive materials, the refractive index, which quantifies how much light is bent or slowed down when passing through a substance, can be modified by the interaction of light. This interaction occurs due to a phenomenon known as the photorefractive effect. When light illuminates these materials, an electric field is generated, allowing charges to move. As a result, the refractive index of the material changes, causing the passing light to be bent or deflected in a controllable manner.
Photorefractive materials find various applications in fields such as holography, optical data storage, and optical signal processing. For instance, in holography, the photorefractive effect allows the recording and reconstruction of three-dimensional images. In optical data storage, the changes in refractive index can be utilized to write and read data on storage media. Additionally, photorefractive devices can be used in optical signal processing to manipulate and control light signals in a dynamic and adaptable manner.
In summary, photorefractive refers to the ability of certain materials to change their refractive index when exposed to light, providing a mechanism for light manipulation and control in various applications.
Common Misspellings for PHOTOREFRACTIVE
- ohotorefractive
- lhotorefractive
- -hotorefractive
- 0hotorefractive
- pgotorefractive
- pbotorefractive
- pnotorefractive
- pjotorefractive
- puotorefractive
- pyotorefractive
- phitorefractive
- phktorefractive
- phltorefractive
- phptorefractive
- ph0torefractive
- ph9torefractive
- phororefractive
- phoforefractive
- phogorefractive
- phoyorefractive
Etymology of PHOTOREFRACTIVE
The word "photorefractive" is composed of two root words: "photo" and "refractive".
1. "Photo" is derived from the Greek word "phōs" meaning "light", which also gives rise to various words like "photography" (writing with light) and "photon" (a discrete particle of electromagnetic radiation).
2. "Refractive" is derived from the Latin word "refractus", the past participle of "refringere", which means "to break or bend". It refers to the phenomenon of light changing direction when passing from one medium to another.
Therefore, "photorefractive" combines these roots to indicate something related to the bending or alteration of light through a photosensitive or light-sensitive material. In the context of optics, it specifically refers to certain materials' ability to change their refractive index when exposed to light.
