Kerr cell

noun

optical device consisting of a transparent cell with two electrodes between two polarizing media; passes light only if the two planes of polarization are parallel; used as a high-speed shutter or to modulate a laser beam

• Hypernyms: ↑optical device

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\\ˈkär-, ˈkər-\ noun

Usage: usually capitalized K

Etymology: after John Kerr died 1907 Scottish physicist

: a cell that contains electrodes immersed in nitrobenzene or other liquid, that exhibits double refraction in a high degree and with short time lag, and that is used in devices where the intensity of light is to be changed rapidly in accordance with the voltage applied to the electrodes (as in the recording of sound tracks for motion pictures) — compare kerr effect 1

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/kahr, kerr/, Physics.

a transparent cell filled with a fluid, usually nitrobenzene, and containing two electrodes placed between two polarizing light filters, suitable for demonstrating the Kerr effect and often used as a high-speed camera shutter.

[1925-30; see KERR EFFECT]

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Kerr cell «kahr, kur»,

an electric cell consisting of two electrodes immersed in a liquid such as nitrobenzene, capable of passing a pulse of light of extremely short duration. The Kerr cell is used in recording sound on film, in ultra-high speed photography, and in television.

╂[< John Kerr, 1824-1907, a Scottish physicist]