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Definition of Kerr effect in English:

Kerr effect

noun

Physics

  • 1The rotation of the plane of polarization of light when reflected from a magnetized surface.

  • 2The production of double refraction in a substance by an electric field.

Pronunciation

Kerr effect

/ˌkər əˈfekt/ /ˌkər əˈfɛkt/ /ˌkər ēˈfekt/ /ˌkər iˈfɛkt/

Origin

Early 20th century named after John Kerr (1824–1907), the Scottish physicist who studied these effects.