misfigure
To err in the manufacture of an optical surface so that it causes distortions.
Optics and imaging
189 entries in this trade.
motion parallax
The illusion of higher speed travel of a foreground object moving, when it is closer to the observer/camera, than when it is further away.
multiresolutional
adjectiveOptics and imaging
That employs multiple resolutions
nanophotonics
The science that studies the behaviour of light, and of optical devices, on a nanometre scale.
nanoscopy
The application of nanotechnology to the imaging of objects at nanoscale.
negative crystal
A uniaxial crystal, such as one of calcite, in which the extraordinary wave travels faster than the ordinary wave
nematicon
A spatial optical soliton in a nematic liquid crystal.
Nicol prism
An optical device used to generate polarized light.
Nomarski prism
A modified type of Wollaston prism very similar to the Glan, Thompson prism.
opacity
A measure of relative impenetrability to electromagnetic radiation such as light.
optic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Of, or relating to optics or optical instruments.
optical axis
An imaginary line within an optical system around which there is rotational symmetry.
optical flat
A disk of high-quality quartz glass having at least one side ground and polished with a deviation in flatness less than 50 nanometers all over, and a surface quality of 5 microfinish or less; used, in an interferometer, to measure the flatness of other surfaces.
orthostereoscopic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
That produces a three-dimensional image free from distortion
orthostereoscopy
The production of a three-dimensional image free from distortion
overfogged
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Having a focal point that is in front of the retina or observer; myopic.
overrefraction
Excessive refraction (due to a lens defect)
pantoscopic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Designed to focus on both near and distant objects at the same time, typically by means of a tilt in the lens
parallax motion
The apparent motion of a tracking-locked foreground object against a background, when the camera is moving across the environment. (ie. A stationary object will appear to move across a background, when a moving camera is locked to track it)
pellicle
A thin plastic membrane used as a beam splitter or protective cover (for example, to protect a photomask).
pencil
An aggregate or collection of rays of light, especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.
photometeor
Any visible phenomenon in the atmosphere caused by reflection, refraction, diffraction or interference.
photovisual
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Of certain achromatic lenses, having the same focus for the actinic and for the brightest of the visual rays.
PIV
Initialism of particle image velocimetry.
planachromatic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
achromatic throughout a plane
planapochromatic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Describing an apochromatic lens system that produces a planar (flat) field
planoconcave
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Having one side plane and the other concave
planoconvex
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Having one side plane and the other convex.
plenoptic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Of or relating to all the light, travelling in every direction, in a given space.
polyhedron
A polyscope, or multiplying glass.
positive crystal
A doubly refracting crystal in which the index of refraction for the extraordinary ray is greater than for the ordinary ray, and the former is refracted nearer to the axis than the latter, such as quartz and ice; as opposed to negative crystal: one in which this characteristic is reversed, such as Iceland spar or tourmaline.
power scaling
The act of increasing the output power of a laser without changing the geometry, shape, or principle of operation.
prism train
A series of dioptric prisms used with a spectroscope to increase dispersion.
prismatic colors
Colors visible when white light is split in a prism.
prismatic colours
Colours visible when white light is split in a prisma.
pseudoscope
An optical instrument that reverses perception of depth.
pseudoscopy
Reversed perception of depth.
Rayleigh's resolution limit
The minimum angular separation between two point sources that an optical system can resolve, limited by diffraction.
real image
The image formed by light rays converging from a convex lens or concave mirror
refract
To cause (light) to change direction as a result of entering a different medium.
resolvance
The resolving power of a lens or device
resolve
To render visible or distinguishable the parts of something.
retroscopic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Having a tilt in the opposite direction to a pantoscopic lens
RF
Abbreviation of radiance field.
saturate
To render pure, or of a colour free from white light.
SGM
Initialism of spherical grating monochromator.
shadow blister effect
A visual phenomenon in which a shadow bulges as it approaches another.
slow light
The propagation of an optical pulse or other modulation of an optical carrier at a very low group velocity.
Snell's law
the law that, for a ray incident on the interface of two media, the sine of the angle of incidence times the index of the refraction of the first medium is equal to the sine of the angle of refraction times the index of refraction of the second medium
Sparrow criterion
A resolution limit used to determine the moment when two point sources of equal intensity can be considered resolved.
Sparrow's resolution limit
An estimate of the angular resolution limit of an optical instrument.
spectropolarimeter
A device for measuring the optical properties of polarized light.
spherical aberration
A type of lens aberration which causes blurriness, particularly away from the centre of the lens.
spherocylindrical
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Having one spheric and one cylindric surface.
spherometer
A device used to measure the curvature of a surface, such as a lens.
stenopaeic
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Pertaining to a narrow opening or slit in an opaque barrier that restricts the light which reaches the eye.
stigmatism
Image-formation property of an optical system which focuses a single point source in object space into a single point in image space
telecentric
adjectiveOptics and imaging
Relating to a compound lens which has its entrance or exit pupil at infinity; in the prior case, this produces an orthographic view of the subject
thin-film interference
The interference of light caused by its reflection from both boundaries of a thin film of a transparent material.
time stop
A stop (mechanical part that adjusts an aperture or interval size) which operates on a timer.