Anisotropy
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2008-05-29T16:57:56Z
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{{wiktionarypar|anisotropy}}
[[Image:WMAP_2008.png|thumb|200px|[[WMAP]] image of the (extremely tiny) anisotropies in the [[cosmic background radiation]]]]
'''Anisotropy''' (pronounced with stress on the third syllable, {{IPAEng|ˌænaɪˈsɒtrəpi}}) is the property of being directionally dependent, as opposed to [[isotropy]], which means homogeneity in all directions. It can be defined as a difference in a physical property (absorbance, refractive index, density, etc.) for some material when measured along different axes. An example is the light coming through a [[Polarization|polarising]] lens.
==Fields of interest==
===Computer graphics===
In the field of [[computer graphics]], an anisotropic surface will change in appearance as it is rotated about its geometric [[surface normal|normal]], as is the case with [[velvet]].
[[Anisotropic filtering]] (AF) is a method of enhancing the image quality of textures on surfaces that are far away and steeply angled with respect to the point of view. Older techniques, such as [[bilinear filtering|bilinear]] and [[trilinear filtering]] don't take account of the angle a surface is viewed from, which can result in [[aliasing]] or blurring of textures. By reducing detail in one direction more than another, these effects can be reduced.
=== Chemistry ===
A chemical anisotropic [[filter (chemistry)|filter]], as used to filter particles, is a filter with increasingly smaller interstitial spaces in the direction of filtration so that the [[proximal]] [[region]]s filter out larger particles and [[distal]] regions increasingly remove smaller particles, resulting in greater flow-through and more efficient filtration.
In [[NMR]]
chemical bonds or molecules with high electron density such as benzene due to the pi bonding electron system can affect the magnetic field that is being applied. The way in which the nuclei are orientated compared to the field will determine their [[chemical shift]]. It is this difference that leads some molecules to be anisotropic.
===Physics===<!-- This section is linked from [[Birefringence]] -->
[[Image:Plasma-lamp 2.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A [[Plasma lamp]] displaying the nature of [[Plasma (physics)|plasmas]], in this case, the phenomenon of "filamentation"]]
[[Cosmologists]] use the term to describe the uneven temperature distribution of the [[cosmic microwave background radiation]]. There is evidence for a so-called "Axis of Evil"<ref>[http://space.newscientist.com/article/mg19425994.000-axis-of-evil-a-cause-for-cosmic-concern.html 'Axis of evil' a cause for cosmic concern - space - 13 April 2007 - New Scientist Space<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> in the early Universe that is at odds with the currently favored theory of rapid expansion after the [[Big Bang]]. Cosmic anisotropy has also been seen in the alignment of galaxies' rotation axes and polarisation angles of quasars.
[[Physicists]] use the term anisotropy to describe direction-dependent properties of materials. [[Magnetic anisotropy]], for example, may occur in a [[plasma (physics)|plasma]], so that its magnetic field is oriented in a preferred direction. Plasmas may also show "filamentation" (such as that seen in [[lightning]] or a [[plasma globe]]) that is directional.
An anisotropic liquid is one which has the fluidity of a normal liquid, but has an average structural order relative to each other along the molecular axis, unlike water or [[chloroform]], which contain no structural ordering of the molecules. [[Liquid crystals]] are examples of anisotropic liquids.
Some materials [[heat conduction|conduct heat]] in a way that is isotropic, that is independent of spatial orientation around the heat source. It is more common for heat conduction to be anisotropic, which implies that detailed geometric modeling of typically diverse materials being thermally managed is required. The materials used to transfer and reject heat from the heat source in [[electronics]] are often anisotropic.
Many [[crystal]]s are anisotropic to [[light]] ("optical anisotropy"), and exhibit properties such as [[birefringence]]. [[Crystal optics]] describes light propagation in these media. An "axis of anisotropy" is defined as the axis along which isotropy is broken (or an axis of symmetry, such as normal to crystalline layers). Some materials can have multiple such [[optical axis|optical axes]].
===Geophysics===
[[Seismic anisotropy]] is the variation of seismic wavespeed with direction. Seismic anisotropy is an indicator of long range order in a material, where features smaller than the seismic [[wavelength]] (e.g., crystals, cracks, pores, layers or inclusions) have a dominant alignment. This alignment leads to a directional variation of [[Elasticity (physics)|elasticity]] wavespeed. Measuring the effects of anisotropy in seismic data can provide important information about processes and mineralogy in the Earth; indeed, significant seismic anisotropy has been detected in the Earth's [[crust]], [[mantle (geology)|mantle]] and [[inner core]].
[[Geological]] formations with distinct layers of [[sedimentary]] material can exhibit electrical anisotropy; [[electrical conductivity]] in one direction (e.g. parallel to a layer), is different from that in another (e.g. perpendicular to a layer). This property is used in the gas and [[oil exploration]] industry to identify [[hydrocarbon]]-bearing sands in sequences of [[sand]] and [[shale]]. Sand-bearing hydrocarbon assets have high [[resistivity]] (low conductivity), whereas shales have lower resistivity. [[Formation evaluation]] instruments measure this conductivity/resistivity and the results are used to help find oil and gas wells.
Most common rock-forming [[mineral|minerals]] are anisotropic, including [[quartz]] and [[feldspar]]. Anisotropy in minerals is most reliably seen in their [[optical mineralogy|optical properties]]. An example of an isotropic mineral is [[garnet]].
===Medical acoustics===
Anisotropy is also a well-known property in medical ultrasound imaging describing a different resulting [[echogenicity]] of soft tissues, such as tendons, when the angle of the transducer is changed. In [[diffusion tensor imaging]], anisotropy alterations may reflect diffusion changes of water in the brain, particularly in the [[white matter]].
===Material science and engineering===
Anisotropy describes the phenomena of [[chemical bond]] strengths being directionally dependent. Most materials exhibit anisotropic behavior, where the [[Young's modulus]] depends on the direction of the load.
Anisotropy in polycrystalline materials can also be due to certain [[Texture (crystalline)|texture]] patterns which are often produced during manufacturing of the material. In the case of rolling, "stringers" of texture are produced in the direction of rolling, which can lead to vastly different properties in the rolling and transverse directions.
Some materials, such as wood and fibre-reinforced [[composite material|composites]] are very anisotropic, being much stronger along the grain/fibre than across it. Metals and alloys tend to be more isotropic, though they can sometimes exhibit significant anisotropic behaviour. This is especially important in processes such as [[Stamping (metalworking)|deep-drawing]].
===Microfabrication===
Anisotropic etching techniques (such as [[Deep reactive ion etching]]) are used in microfabrication processes to create well defined microscopic features with a high [[aspect ratio]]. These features are commonly used in [[MEMS]] and [[microfluidic]] devices, where the anisotropy of the features is needed to impart desired optical, electrical, or physical properties to the device.
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/FEATsum05TBP.html "Gauge, and knitted fabric generally, is an anisotropic phenomenon"]
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