Schiller layers, also known as the iridescent layers, are a series of layers formed by
sedimenting particle
In the Outline of physical science, physical sciences, a particle (or corpuscule in older texts) is a small wikt:local, localized physical body, object which can be described by several physical property, physical or chemical property, chemical ...
s separated by approximately equal distances of the order of the
wavelength
In physics, the wavelength is the spatial period of a periodic wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats.
It is the distance between consecutive corresponding points of the same phase on the wave, such as two adjacent crests, tro ...
of light. This gives rise to strong colors when observed in
reflected light
Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves. The ' ...
and the system is said to form iridescent layers or "Schiller layers".
References
Sedimentology
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