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8,289 terms
Photonics Dictionary
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ns x
area scan
Area scan, in the context of imaging and cameras, refers to a method of capturing an entire two-dimensional image in a single snapshot or exposure. Unlike line scan, which captures images one line at...
argon-fluoride excimer laser
An argon-fluoride (ArF) excimer laser is a type of ultraviolet laser that operates using a mixture of argon and fluorine gases. Excimer lasers are a class of gas lasers that emit light in the UV...
argon-ion laser
gas laser using ionized argon as the active medium and applying electronic excitation in order to produce the laser light
ARM
antiradiation missile
armor
A protective jacket added to an optical fiber to facilitate use in harsh environments. Armor usually consists of steel or aluminum and is placed between the fiber and its outer jacket.
array processor
In image processing, a specially designed programmable computer peripheral that attaches to the host system for the purpose of more rapid arithmetical calculations than the latter can supply. The...
Arrhenius plot
The plot that expresses a reaction rate vs. the reciprocal of absolute temperature. Often used to describe the thermal characteristics of laser applications such as ablation or annealing.
ARROW
antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide
arsenic trisulfide
A dark red opaque material that is transparent to the infrared beyond 1 µm.
artificial intelligence
The ability of a machine to perform certain complex functions normally associated with human intelligence, such as judgment, pattern recognition, understanding, learning, planning, and problem...
artificial pupil
iris or adjustable radially symmetric opening used for allowing the passage of useful light
artificial radioactivity
Radioactivity formed by the bombardment of stable elements by either neutrons or high-energy, charged particles under regulated conditions.
artificial star
A point source of light used for the test and evaluation of image quality. May be a backlit pinhole in an otherwise opaque sheet placed at an appropriately large distance from the lens being tested.
AS
angular sensitivity
ASAT
antisatellite
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASDSRS
automatic spectrum display and signal recognition system
ASE
amplified spontaneous emission
ASFIR
active swept frequency interferometer radar
ASI
American Standards Institute
ASIC
application-specific integrated circuit
ASII
American Science Information Institute
ASIS
American Society for Information Science
ASK
amplitude shift keying
ASKA
automatic system for kinematic analysis
ASLMS
American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery
ASM
ampere second meter
ASNT
American Society for Nondestructive Testing
aspect of image
The particular orientation of the image, such as normal, canted, inverted or reverted.
aspect ratio
With respect to pictorial displays, the ratio of the width to the height. The television standard in the US is 4:3. High-definition or wide-screen television will have a ratio of 16:9.
aspheric
Not spherical; an optical element having one or more surfaces that are not spherical. The spherical surface of a lens may be slightly altered so as to reduce spherical aberration. Aspheric surfaces...
aspherizing
The modification of the spherical surfaces in an optical system to correct for spherical aberration.
assist gas
A gas, such as oxygen, that improves the speed and efficiency of a laser cutter or welder when applied to the work surface, or an inert gas, such as argon, that helps to clean or shield the work...
astigmatic difference
In an optical system having astigmatism, the distance between the tangential and sagittal image planes.
astigmatic spectral line
In an astigmatic grating, the image of the entrance slit located at the primary focus.
astigmatism
A lens aberration that results in the tangential and sagittal image planes being separated axially.
astigmatizer
A cylindrical lens that may be rotated to distort a bundle of light originating at a point source, to form a line image.
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials
Aston dark space
In the discharge of a vacuum tube, the narrow, nonluminous region that sometimes may be found between the cathode and its glow.
astrometry
The analysis and measurement of celestial bodies, their motions and positions.
astronomical camera
A camera designed to record astronomical objects (e.g., stars, planets, nebulae, galaxies) and their spectra.
astronomical mirror
An astronomical mirror, also known as a telescope mirror or primary mirror, is a key component of a reflecting telescope. It serves as the primary optical element responsible for gathering and...
astronomical observatory
A facility designed for the observation and recording of astronomical phenomena.
astronomical photography
The use of photographs to record astronomical objects and phenomena for purposes of physical observation and measurement of motion, radiation and spectra.
astronomical scintillation
Any irregular motion, variation in intensity or change in color that arises because of atmospheric turbulence during the observation of an astronomical phenomenon or object.
astronomical spectrograph
An instrument that photographs the spectra of an extraterrestrial object.
astronomical spectroscopy
The process of using a spectrograph with a telescope to acquire information on an astronomical object's speed and physical characteristics.
astronomical telescope
An astronomical telescope is a type of optical instrument designed to gather and magnify light from distant celestial objects for observation and analysis. It typically consists of two main optical...
astronomical unit
The unit generally used to express distances within the solar system, and sometimes to measure interstellar distances. Technically, one astronomical unit is the mean distance between the Earth and...
astronomy
The scientific observation of celestial radiation that has reached the vicinity of Earth, and the interpretation of these observations to determine the characteristics of the extraterrestrial bodies...
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Photonics Dictionary
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