For Diffraction we have terms and definitions in 10 topics. The topics are Audio Technology, Explosives, Fiber Optics, Hunting, Noise Control Engineering, Photography, Robotics, Satellite Meteorology, Surf and Weather.

Diffraction (Audio Technology)

When a sound wave from a loudspeaker reaches an edge of the speaker cabinet, it creates a new source of sound that appears to emanate from the edge. This is called edge diffraction. Diffraction will occur any time a wave encounters an obstacle, or abrupt change in a surface. An animated cartoon (107 kb) shows a blue wave emanating from a dome tweeter that diffracts first from the rim of the tweeter as a green wave, and then from the cabinet edge as a red wave. Rounding the corners of a speaker cabinet will reduce, but not eliminate, diffraction. See the section on loudspeaker construction, for more discussion on this topic.

Diffraction (Explosives)

Diffraction is the bending of radiation (such as light) around the edge of an obstacle or by a narrow aperture. Diffraction results from the Interference of light waves that pass an opaque body, producing a fuzzy region between the shadow area and the lighted area that, upon close examination, is actually a series of light and dark lines. A diffraction grating contains many fine, parallel slits or scratches (about 12,000 per cm or 30,000 per inch) and disperses light into its colors. These gratings are used in diffracting spectoscopes. The atomic and molecular structure of crystals is examined by X-ray diffraction.

Diffraction (Fiber Optics)

The bending of light rays as they pass around corners or through holes smaller than their own wavelengths.

Diffraction (Hunting)

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 in the multi-directional spreading of the waves.

Diffraction (Noise Control Engineering)

Process that produces a diffracted wave.

Diffraction (Photography)

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 pattern. Many components are designed to yield very specific diffraction effects (diffractive optics, gratings). Other components attempt to counteract this process to determine more information about the obstructing medium (electronic imaging).

Diffraction (Robotics)

A property of a wave that causes it to bend around obstructions. If a wave passes through a small opening, it will spread out in a circle.

Diffraction (Satellite Meteorology)

The process by which radiation changes direction and spreads out.

Diffraction (Surf)

The process of wave energy filtering into the lee of obstacles such as breakwaters by the transfer of the wave energy along wave crests. Diffracted waves are smaller than the original waves.

Diffraction (Weather)

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

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