Birefringence

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-003928",
  "term": "Birefringence",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "The optical characteristic of a material that causes a single incident light ray to split into two separate rays. This division happens because the material's refractive index is different for light with different polarizations. Ice crystals in the atmosphere exhibit birefringence, which is responsible for optical phenomena like some halos, arcs, and sun dogs.",
  "see_also": [
    "polarization",
    "dichroism",
    "double refraction"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/birefringence/"
}