interferometer

in·ter·fe·rom·e·ter  (ntr-f-rm-tr)

n.

Any of several optical, acoustic, or radio frequency instruments that use interference phenomena between a reference wave and an experimental wave or between two parts of an experimental wave to determine wavelengths and wave velocities, measure very small distances and thicknesses, and calculate indices of refraction.

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inter·fero·metric (-fîr-mtrk) adj.

inter·fero·metri·cal·ly adv.

inter·fe·rome·try n.

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interferometer [ˌɪntəfəˈrɒmɪtə]

n

1. (Physics / General Physics) Physics any acoustic, optical, or microwave instrument that uses interference patterns or fringes to make accurate measurements of wavelength, wave velocity, distance, etc.

2. (Astronomy) Astronomy a radio or optical array consisting of two or more telescopes separated by a known distance and connected so that the radiation from a source in space undergoes interference, enabling the source to be imaged or the position of the source to be accurately determined

interferometric  [ˌɪntəˌfɛrəˈmɛtrɪk] adj

interferometrically  adv

interferometry  n

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interferometer  (ntr-f-rm-tr)

Any of several optical, acoustic, or radio frequency instruments that use interference phenomena between a reference wave and an experimental wave or between two parts of an experimental wave to determine wavelengths and wave velocities, measure very small distances and thicknesses, and calculate indices of refraction.

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interferometer

an instrument that measures wavelengths, minute distances, or the refractivity of lenses by comparison of interference patterns generated by the splitting and reuniting of a beam of light passed through a lens. — interferometry, n.

See also: Instruments

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

interferometer - any measuring instrument that uses interference patterns to make accurate measurements of waves measuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system - instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something