interferometer definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅ter⋅fer⋅om⋅e⋅ter

[in-ter-fuh-rom-i-ter]

–noun

1.	Optics. a device that separates a beam of light into two ray beams, usually by means of reflection, and that brings the rays together to produce interference, used to measure wavelength, index of refraction, and astronomical distances.

2.	Astronomy. an instrument for measuring the angular separation of double stars or the diameter of giant stars by means of the interference phenomena of light emitted by these stars.

Origin:
1895–1900; interfere + -o- + -meter

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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in·ter·fe·rom·e·ter (ĭn'tər-fə-rŏm'ĭ-tər) Pronunciation Key
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.

in'ter·fer'o·met'ric (-fîr'ə-mět'rĭk) adj., in'ter·fer'o·met'ri·cal·ly adv., in'ter·fe·rom'e·try n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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interferometer
noun
any measuring instrument that uses interference patterns to make accurate measurements of waves

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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interferometer (ĭn'tər-fə-rŏm'ĭ-tər) Pronunciation Key
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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Interferometer

In`ter*fe*rom"e*ter\, n. [See Interfere and -meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring small movements, distances, or displacements by means of the interference of two beams of light; -- called also refractometer.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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