polarimeter

noun

po·​lar·​im·​e·​ter ˌpō-lə-ˈri-mə-tər How to pronounce polarimeter (audio)
1
: an instrument for determining the amount of polarization of light or the proportion of polarized light in a partially polarized ray
2
: a polariscope for measuring the amount of rotation of the plane of polarization especially by liquids
polarimetric
pō-ˌler-ə-ˈme-trik How to pronounce polarimeter (audio)
pō-ˌla-rə-ˈme-trik
adjective
polarimetry noun

Examples of polarimeter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With a total mission budget of $964 million, the three instruments on board include an optical spectrometer designed and built by NASA and two other polarimeters, one from the University of Maryland and one from a consortium of organizations in the Netherlands. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 The polarimeters will examine the composition, movement and interaction of particles of sea salt, smoke, pollutants and dust, a group collectively called aerosols, by measuring light properties. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 The spacecraft also has two polarimeter instruments, Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter #2 and Spectro-polarimeter for Planetary Exploration. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 At the same time, PACE will use two other instruments, known as multi-angle polarimeters, to take snapshots of the atmosphere from different angles. Matt Simon, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2024 The two polarimeter instruments on PACE will help scientists study the particle size, composition and amount of aerosols in Earth’s atmosphere across an array of wavelengths to provide a detailed portrait of the most problematic areas. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Feb. 2024 Two polarimeter instruments are also onboard–Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter #2 and Spectro-polarimeter for Planetary Exploration. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024 So astronomers used the VLT to stare at LAB-1 for 15 hours, using a polarimeter (a device for measuring polarized light). Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2011 Researchers have demonstrated optical devices such as spectrometers and polarimeters made from stacks of these flat surfaces. Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polarimeter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from polarization

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of polarimeter was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near polarimeter

Cite this Entry

“Polarimeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarimeter. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

polarimeter

noun
po·​lar·​im·​e·​ter ˌpō-lə-ˈrim-ət-ər How to pronounce polarimeter (audio)
1
: an instrument for determining the amount of polarization of light or the proportion of polarized light in a partially polarized ray
2
: a polariscope for measuring the amount of rotation of the plane of polarization especially by liquids
polarimetric adjective
polarimetry noun
plural polarimetries
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