Definition of optical aberration

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Photonics Dictionary

optical aberration: Optical aberration refers to imperfections or deviations from ideal optical behavior in an imaging system, such as a lens or a mirror. These aberrations can cause distortions, blurring, or other undesired effects in the resulting image. There are several types of optical aberrations, including:

Chromatic aberration: This occurs due to the different wavelengths of light being refracted differently by a lens, causing colors to focus at different points.

Spherical aberration: Results from spherical surfaces failing to bring parallel rays of light to a single focus, leading to blurring and loss of sharpness.

Coma: Causes comet-shaped blurring of images, particularly noticeable towards the edges of the field of view.

Astigmatism: Occurs when light rays from a point object fail to converge to a single point, resulting in distorted images.

Distortion: Causes a straight line to appear curved or bent, commonly seen in wide-angle lenses.

Optical aberrations are a significant concern in optical design, as they limit the clarity, resolution, and overall quality of images produced by optical instruments such as cameras, microscopes, and telescopes. Optical engineers strive to minimize these aberrations through careful design and use of corrective optics.

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