diffraction grating

noun

, Physics.

1. a band of equidistant, parallel lines, usually more than 5000 per inch (2000 per centimeter), ruled on a glass or polished metal surface for diffracting light to produce optical spectra.

diffraction grating

noun

1. a glass plate or a mirror with a large number of equidistant parallel lines or grooves on its surface. It causes diffraction of transmitted or reflected light, ultraviolet radiation, or X-rays

diffraction grating

1. A polished surface, often of glass or metal, having many fine parallel stripes or slits through which radiation such as light is passed and projected onto a screen or other detection device. The interference patterns cast by the diffraction grating on the screen or detector can be analyzed to determine the frequency of the radiation.
2. See also interferometer

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffraction grating¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Essentially, they form a diffraction grating, except photonic crystals only produce certain colors, or wavelengths, of light, while a diffraction grating will produce the entire spectrum, much like a prism.

From Ars Technica

Essentially, they form a diffraction grating, except these naturally occurring photonic crystals only produce certain colors, or wavelengths, of light, while a diffraction grating will produce the entire spectrum, much like a prism.

From Ars Technica

The same method is employed to gauge the distance between the lines on a diffraction grating.

From Project Gutenberg

There are two ways open to us—one by glass prisms, and the other by a diffraction grating.

From Project Gutenberg

In some text-books it is told us that the diffraction grating gives us a dispersion which is in exact relation to the wave-length.

From Project Gutenberg

Another way of obtaining considerable dispersion is by using a diffraction grating instead of a prism.

From Project Gutenberg

The modern diffraction grating is a truly wonderful piece of work.

From Project Gutenberg