Extraordinary ray

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-005518",
  "term": "Extraordinary ray",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "One of the two rays produced when unpolarized light passes through a birefringent material, such as certain ice crystals in the atmosphere. Unlike the ordinary ray, its speed and direction of propagation depend on its polarization and the orientation of the crystal's optical axis. This phenomenon contributes to atmospheric optical effects like halos.",
  "synonyms": [
    "extraordinary wave"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "ordinary ray"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/extraordinary-ray/"
}