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8,289 terms
Photonics Dictionary
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ns x
current saturation
A condition during laser operation when laser output can no longer be increased by additional electric current.
cursor
On a display monitor, a small, mobile rectangle, cross-hair or pointer that locates a feature in an image that is the object of attention, or indicates where the next character will appear in word...
curvature
The measure of departure from a flat surface, as applied to lenses; the reciprocal of radius. Applies to any surface, including lenses, mirrors and image surfaces.
curvature loss
->
macrobend loss
In an optical waveguide, that loss attributable to macrobending. Macrobending usually causes little or no radiative loss.
curvature of field
A lens aberration that causes a flat object surface to be imaged onto a curved surface rather than a plane.
curvilinear distortion
A lens aberration in which the focal length varies radially outward from the center of the field. It has the effect of making a straight tangential line in the object appear curved in the image,...
custom optic
A custom optic refers to an optical component that is designed, manufactured, and tailored to meet specific requirements or applications. These optics can include lenses, mirrors, prisms, filters, or...
cut plane
In computer graphics, intersection of a plane with a three-dimensional object to create a sectional view.
cutback technique
A technique for measuring fiber attenuation or distortion by performing two transmission measurements. One is at the output end of the full length of the fiber. The other is within 1 to 3 m of the...
cutoff wavelength
1. In detector technology, the long wavelength at which detector response falls to a set percentage (usually 20 or 50 percent). 2. In fiber optics, the shortest wavelength at which a fiber transmits...
cuton wavelength
In filter terminology, that wavelength where the filter transmission increases beyond 5 percent.
cutting
The process of forming a lens to a given pattern, or of cutting a piece of glass along the line of scratch.
cutting center
The point on a cutting line that will become the geometrical center of the cut lens.
CVD
chemical vapor deposition; compact videodisc
CVF
continuously variable filter
CVROS
compact video-rate optical scanner
CW
continuous wave; clockwise
CWDM
coarse wavelength division multiplexing
cyanocrylate cement
Adhering material used to glue optical components that transmit in the infrared. It is easily dissolved by acetone.
cyanometer
An instrument designed to measure the proportion of light emitted by a source in the blue region of the spectrum.
cyanometry
The analysis of light in the blue region of the visible spectrum.
cyberspace
->
virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment or experience that can be interacted with and explored by an individual using electronic devices, such as a...
cycloidal mass spectrometer
A small mass spectrometer, with a limited mass range, equipped with an analyzer to generate a cycloidal-path beam of the sample.
cyclotron resonance
The tendency of charge carriers to spiral about an axis in a direction identical to that of an applied magnetic field that has an angular frequency formed by the value of the applied field and the...
cyl
cylinder
cylinder axis
In a cylindrical lens, the meridian parallel to the generating lines of the cylindrical surface. In a toric lens, the cylinder axis is the axis of the equivalent cylindrical surface that has been...
cystoscope
An endoscope used for the visual examination of the bladder.
Cz
Czochralski technique
Czerny-Turner design
A form of monochromator optical system consisting of two spherical concave mirrors used in conjunction with a movable diffraction grating.
Czochralski technique
Popular process for silicon and polycrystalline production that consists of an alteration of the original state of a substance; thus, single-crystal materials can be used to form a polycrystal.
D
density; diopter
D*
A value used to designate the relative sensitivity of a detector. The higher the D* value, the better the detector.
D-star
->
D*
A value used to designate the relative sensitivity of a detector. The higher the D* value, the better the detector.
D/A
digital-to-analog
DAA
data acquisition and analysis
DAC
digital-to-analog converter
Dall-Kirkham telescope
A telescope similar to the customary Cassegrain telescope, but having a primary mirror that is ellipsoidal and a secondary that is spherical.
DAMA
diode array multichannel analyzer
Dammann grating
A Dammann grating is a type of diffractive optical element (DOE) used to create an array of equally spaced, uniform-intensity spots or beams. It is named after its inventor, Dr. Herbert Dammann. The...
damped least squares
An organizational method used in optical design computer programs. The technique produces one number (merit function) to measure the state of correction of an optical system. This number, which is...
damping
Continuous conversion of oscillatory energy into heat, relative to time or distance.
daNm
dekaNewton meter
DAP
deformation of aligned phase
dark adaptation
The ability of the human eye to adjust itself to low levels of illumination.
dark beam
A precision-engineered microminiature light source that is safe for darkroom use, yet emits a beam of light bright enough to read by.
dark box
A lightproof box used for storing photosensitive materials.
dark current
The current that flows in a photodetector when there is no optical radiation incident on the detector and operating voltages are applied.
dark decay
The decay of an electrostatic charge image resulting from long exposure to the dark.
dark discharge
In a gas, an electrical discharge that has no luminance.
dark fiber
Unused fiber; fiber that has been installed but reserved for future use. Carrying no light.
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Photonics Dictionary
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