Iridescence

Iridescence is an optical phenomenon characterized as the property of surfaces in which hue changes according to the angle from which the surface is viewed, such as soap bubbles and butterfly wings.

Related Topics:
Optical phenomenon - Hue - Soap bubble - Butterfly

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Iridescence is caused by multiple reflections from multi-layered, semi-transparent surfaces where the subsequent phase shift and interference of the reflections modulates the incident light (by amplifying or attenuating different frequencies).

Related Topics:
Phase shift - Interference - Modulates

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The word is derived in part from the Greek word iris (pl. irides), meaning "rainbow", which in turn derives from the goddess Iris of Greek mythology, who is the personification of the rainbow and acted as a messenger of the gods.

Related Topics:
Greek - Pl. - Iris - Greek mythology - Rainbow

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See also thin-film optics.

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