quarter-wave plate
[ kwawr-ter-weyv ]
/ ˈkwɔr tərˌweɪv /
noun Optics.
a crystal thin enough to cause a phase difference of 90° between the ordinary and extraordinary rays of polarized light, thereby converting circularly polarized light into plane polarized light.
Compare
half-wave plate.
Origin of quarter-wave plate
First recorded in 1880–85
Words nearby quarter-wave plate
quarter-breed,
quarter-hoop,
quarter-hour,
quarter-miler,
quarter-phase,
quarter-wave plate,
quarterage,
quarterback,
quarterback sneak,
quarterdeck,
quartered