thin-film interference

Thin-film interference is a phenomenon seen in optics where light interacts with thin layers of material, creating colorful patterns.

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Definition

(technical, academic)A phenomenon where light waves reflected from the top and bottom surfaces of a thin layer interfere, creating color patterns.

The colorful patterns on soap bubbles are due to thin-film interference.
Thin-film interference can be observed in the rainbow-like colors seen on oil spills.

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "thin-film interference":