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Photonics Dictionary

principal ray
The ray of an oblique pencil beam that passes through the center of the pupils. It is the effective axis of the oblique beam. Also called the chief ray.
principal section
A plane passing through a crystal that has the optic axis of the crystal and the light ray under consideration.
principle of least time -> Fermat's principle
The principle that a light ray extending from one point to another will, after any number of reflections and refractions, follow the path requiring the least transit time. This is also known as the...
printer
A photographic enlarger with a fixed negative plane and a fixed paper plane, often using a roll of paper that is advanced automatically between exposures. The lens is interchangeable to suit a range...
prism apex
The thin edge of a refracting prism; the line of intersection of two refracting surfaces of a prism.
prism base
The thick edge of a refracting prism.
prism binoculars
A pair of telescopes with prismatically erected images, mounted side by side with the eyepieces at the interocular distance of the observer. This separation is adjustable with a convenient millimeter...
prism chromatic resolving power
The chromatic resolving power of a prism is invariably stated for the case in which parallel rays of light are incident on the prism, in which the prism is oriented at the angle of minimum deviation...
prism coupler
An instrument that measures the angle at which a prism can couple laser light into an optical waveguide; used to determine the thickness and refractive index of thin films in integrated optical...
prism ghost
The ghost image formed by a prism.
prism power
The power, expressed in prism diopters, that is the linear displacement, in centimeters, produced by the prism one meter away.
prism spectrograph -> spectrograph
An optical instrument for forming the spectrum of a light source and recording it on a film. The dispersing medium may be a prism or a diffraction grating. A concave grating requires no other means...
prism
A prism is a geometric optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. It is typically a solid, transparent object with at least two flat surfaces that are inclined relative to each...
prismatic
Describing a prism, or the effects produced by prisms.
prismatic spectrum
The spectrum formed by a dispersing prism or a dispersing prism system.
prismograph
A graphical device used to measure prism power.
PRK
photorefractive keratectomy
PRM
pulse rate modulation
PRNU
photoresponse nonuniformity
probe
Acronym for profile resolution obtained by excitation. In its simplest form, probe involves the overlap of two counter-propagating laser pulses of appropriate wavelength, such that one pulse...
probe card
A probe card is a testing device used in the semiconductor manufacturing industry to evaluate and test the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits (ICs) on a wafer. Its primary function is...
process camera
A photographic camera designed to produce reproduction film of visual information (pictures, line drawings, graphs) for printing purposes.
process control
The collection and analysis of data relevant to monitoring the rate and quality of industrial production, either continuously or in batches. Corrections can be made manually or automatically, via a...
process lens
A lens that is symmetrical and designed to work between 1:1 and about 4:1. It covers a field of about ±20° at f/8 or f/10, and may have a focal length up to about 30 in., although the usual...
processed hologram
A superposition of many zone plates, each reconstructing a real and virtual point image at the appropriate locations upon illumination by a reference beam.
profile dip -> index dip
The decrease in the refractive index at the center of a fiber's core, caused by certain fabrication techniques. Also called profile dip.
profile dispersion
In an optical waveguide, that dispersion attributable to the variation of refractive index profile with wavelength. The profile variation has two contributing factors: variation in refractive index...
profilometry
Measurement of surface roughness or quality through the use of a diamond-pointed stylus connected to a coil in an electric field. As the stylus is traced across the surface, a current is created that...
programmable logic controller
In computerized industrial process control, the element that determines the choice and sequence of operations dependent on varying conditions.
projecting core coupler
A device that couples a light source to an optical fiber by projecting an image of the source and the fiber core onto a screen where they can be superimposed by micropositioners.
projection moire topography
A contour mapping technique that involves projection of a grating onto an object to produce a shadow grating that is observed through another grating. Therefore, the size of the object to be measured...
projection pointer
A device used to project a small area of light on a screen for indication.
projection printer -> printer
A photographic enlarger with a fixed negative plane and a fixed paper plane, often using a roll of paper that is advanced automatically between exposures. The lens is interchangeable to suit a range...
projection thermography
The measurement of surface temperature by a thermograph that forms a pattern of the heat radiated by the surface on a luminescent screen.
projection x-ray microscope
A microscope that uses an extremely fine x-ray focal point to produce an enlarged photographic image of a sample. Also known as an x-ray shadow microscope.
prolate crystal -> positive crystal
A uniaxial, birefringent crystal having an ordinary ray with a higher velocity than the extraordinary ray.
PROM
Pockels readout optical memory; programmable read-only memory
proof strength
The minimum amount of strength characteristic of an optical fiber, as determined by proof stressing; expressed in thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch.
proof stressing
A means of testing the strength of optical fibers to ensure reliability, by applying stress to the fiber so that any flaws generated during manufacturing or handling result in breakage of the fiber.
proof-of-concept system
An assembly of prototype instruments, equipment and/or software designed to perform all the functions of a concept or idea which, when operated as a system, produce evidence, results or data...
propagation constant
For an electromagnetic field mode varying sinusoidally with time at a given frequency, the logarithmic rate of change, with respect to distance in a given direction, of the complex amplitude of any...
protective bevel
The removal of a sharp edge on an optical element by grinding, to prevent accidental chipping of that edge during subsequent handling.
protective coating
A film applied to a coated or uncoated optical surface primarily for protecting this surface from mechanical abrasion, from chemical corrosion, or from both. For example, a thin layer of silicon...
protein crystallography
Protein crystallography is a scientific technique used to determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins at atomic resolution. It involves growing crystals of a protein of interest and then...
proximal scanning
Technique using a fiber optic assembly to illuminate an opaque object and transmit an image back from it without a lens system on the distal end.
proximity effect
The underexposure caused by the diffraction of light passing through small openings spaced closely together in masks used in photolithography.
proximity probe
A noncontact sensor used in the remote measurement of position, speed or other variables of moving parts.
proximity-focused image tube
A planar photocathode and a planar phosphor screen mounted in a close-spaced parallel configuration in an evacuated enclosure so that the ensemble of photoelectrons emitted from each photocathode...
proximity-mode sensing
A method of sensing by transmitting energy from the sensor and detecting the energy after it has been reflected by the object in its path.
ps
picosecond

Photonics Dictionary

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