PI Physik Instrumente - Array Alignment ROS LB 8/24

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PowerPhotonic Ltd. - Light Forge MR 7/24

Optimax Systems, Inc. - Optical Components & Systems 2024 HP

1,977 terms

Photonics Dictionary

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true field

The size of the field of view in the object space of an optical system as differentiated from that in the image space (apparent field).

trunk

In a fiber optic communications network, a circuit that connects two switching centers and does not branch off to terminal points.

tungsten diselenide

Tungsten diselenide (WSe2) is a member of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) family, composed of tungsten (W) and selenium (Se). Similar to other TMDs, tungsten diselenide possesses a...

tunneling mode -> leaky mode

In an optical waveguide, a mode whose field decays monotonically for a finite distance in the transverse direction but which becomes oscillatory everywhere beyond that finite distance.

tunneling ray -> leaky ray

In an optical waveguide, a ray for which geometric optics would predict total internal reflection at the core boundary, but which suffers loss by virtue of the curved core boundary.

twisted intramolecular charge transfer

Twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) is a phenomenon observed in certain organic molecules containing electron-donor and electron-acceptor groups that are linked together within the same...

two-dimensional response kernel

Characteristic of an acousto-optic modulator, defined by the overlap integral of the incident light and sound field profiles; similar to a convolution operator.

two-photon excited fluorescence

Two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) is a nonlinear optical method that allows imaging of biological cells and living tissue. The advantage of TPEF in comparison to conventional fluorescence...

Twyman-Green interferometry

Twyman-Green interferometry is a technique used in optics to measure the flatness or surface profile of optical components with high precision. It is based on the principles of interference of light...

ultrafast pulsed laser

An ultrafast pulsed laser is a type of laser that emits extremely short pulses of light with durations typically on the order of femtoseconds (10-15 seconds) or picoseconds (10-12 seconds). These...

ultrasonic cleaning equipment

Ultrasound used in the cleaning of metal and optical parts by virtue of its vibration rates. Large acoustic forces break off particles and contaminants from surfaces.

ultrasonic detector

A mechanical, electrical, thermal or optical detector designed to identify and measure ultrasonic radiation.

ultrasonic holography -> acoustical holography

Acoustical holography is a technique used to visualize and analyze sound fields in three-dimensional space. It involves capturing the complex spatial distribution of acoustic waves, much like how...

ultrasonic light diffraction

The optical diffraction spectra formed, or the method that produces them, when a light beam is transmitted through a longitudinal sound field.

ultraviolet coatings

Ultraviolet (UV) coatings are specialized optical coatings designed to operate in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically ranging from 10 nm to 400 nm. These coatings are...

ultraviolet microscopy

The study and photographing of microscope specimens in ultraviolet light; using an optical microscope containing fluorite and quartz components to efficiently image wavelengths much shorter than the...

unblocking

The process whereby optical elements are removed from a block.

USAS-CSOCR

USA standard character set for optical character recognition

UVFO

ultraviolet fiber optics

V-groove

A V-shaped channel pressed or etched into a substrate, in which, for example, optical fibers may be placed to create an integrated optical component.

V-number -> normalized frequency

Also referred to as the V number in fiber optics; the normalized frequency is a dimensionless quantity, denoted by the symbol V, given by: where a is waveguide core radius, l is wavelength in vacuum,...

V-value -> Abbe constant

A dispersion relation defined in order to value the reciprocal amount of dispersion. It is defined as the refractivity over the difference in index values of the shortest and longest visible...

vacuum

In optics, the term vacuum typically refers to a space devoid of matter, including air and other gases. However, in practical terms, achieving a perfect vacuum, where there is absolutely no matter...

vacuum apparatus

Equipment dependent on the effects of a vacuum. The principal applications in optics are in the coating of lenses and substrates and the fabrication of multilayer interference filters.

vapor degreasing

A method of cleaning and drying coated optical components. The cooled parts are placed in a container above a boiling solvent, whose vapors condense on the parts. When the parts reach the temperature...

vapor-phase axial deposition

A process by which high-quality fiber optics are made. See axial vapor-phase deposition.

variable-speed scanning

A scanning technique in which the optical density of the film being scanned controls the speed of deflection of the scanning beam.

VCSEL -> vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is a type of semiconductor laser diode that emits light vertically from the surface of a semiconductor wafer. VCSELs are commonly used in various...

veiling glare

Diffuse stray light at the image plane of an optical system that results in reduced contrast and resolution.

vertex

The point of intersection of the optical axis with any centered optical surface.

vertical air photograph

An aerial photograph produced when the optical axis of the camera is perpendicular to the surface below.

vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser

A laser that has a surface-emitting semiconductor gain element coupled to an external mirror designed to complete the laser resonator. VECSELs can be electrically or optically pumped. The extended...

vertical leveling mirror

A two-sided mirror suspended by a pendulum mechanism. An autocollimator set normal to such a mirror surface will, by definition, have its optical axis set horizontal.

vertical-cavity laser diode -> vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is a type of semiconductor laser diode that emits light vertically from the surface of a semiconductor wafer. VCSELs are commonly used in various...

vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is a type of semiconductor laser diode that emits light vertically from the surface of a semiconductor wafer. VCSELs are commonly used in various...

viewfinder

A device, optical or electronic, that may be joined to a camera so that the operator may perceive the scene as the camera does.

vignetting

In an optical system, the gradual reduction of image illuminance as the off-axis angle increases, resulting from limitations of the clear apertures of elements within the system.

virtual image

An image that is formed when rays emerging from an optical system are diverging from the optical axis. The virtual image is formed where the bundle of diverging rays appear to intersect each other...

visual detection and ranging

Visual detection and ranging (ViDAR) is a technology that utilizes optical sensors, such as cameras or other imaging devices, to detect and track objects in the surrounding environment. Unlike...

visual fault locator

A device that enables visual tracing of a fiber optic cable to check for breaks and defects by coupling visible light into the cable. Also called fiber tracer.

visually coupled airborne systems simulator

A visual system including a tiny television tube and imaging optics, all contained in a helmet to be worn by pilots in flight simulator training.

visually coupled display -> helmet-mounted display

A compact optical projection system, mounted on or built into a helmet, and used to project data or a scene directly into the eyes of the wearer. Also called visually coupled display.

vitreous silica -> fused silica

Glass consisting of almost pure silicon dioxide (SiO2). Also called vitreous silica. Frequently used in optical fibers and windows.

VOA

variable optical attenuator

void

A blank area (caused by insufficient inking of the paper) that falls within the range of an intended character stroke in an optical character-recognition system.

volume Bragg gratings

Volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) are specialized optical elements that consist of periodic variations in refractive index throughout the volume of a transparent material, typically a photosensitive glass...

volumetric imaging

Volumetric imaging refers to the capture, visualization, and analysis of three-dimensional (3D) information from a volume of space. Unlike traditional two-dimensional (2D) imaging, which provides...

vortex phase plate

A vortex phase plate is an optical device designed to impart a phase singularity, commonly referred to as a vortex or phase vortex, onto a light beam. This singularity results in a phase profile...

w-type fibers -> double-clad fiber

Double-clad fiber (DCF) is a specialized optical fiber that features two concentric cladding layers surrounding a core. The design of double-clad fibers allows them to be used in various...

wave plate

An optical element having two principal axes, slow and fast, that resolve an incident polarized beam into two mutually perpendicular polarized beams. The emerging beam recombines to form a particular...

Photonics Dictionary

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