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Cornu spiral

noun
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Cor·​nu spiral | \ (ˈ)kȯr¦n(y)ü- \

Definition of Cornu spiral

: a spiral of two oppositely coiled branches obtained by plotting as abscissas and ordinates respectively the corresponding values of a certain two integrals and used to afford graphical solution of various problems in diffraction of light

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History and Etymology for Cornu spiral

after Marie Alfred Cornu †1902 French physicist

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Cite this Entry

“Cornu spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cornu%20spiral. Accessed 20 Jun. 2021.

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