8,617 terms
Photonics Dictionary
ERPeffective radiated power
error correcting codeThe addition to the information signal in communications of redundant bits that enable the originally encoded message to be decoded without degradation of the data. In compact disc technology, the...
error functionA single number, defined by the computer program or the user that expresses the performance of an optical system. Also known as merit function and defect function, the error function comprises...
ERTSearth resources technology satellite
erythemaLocalized redness of skin due to congestion of capillaries; a common result of overexposure to laser radiation.
ESAEuropean Space Agency; excited state absorption
ESCAelectron spectroscopy for chemical analysis
ESDelectrostatic discharge
ESFextended superframe format
ESPIelectron speckle pattern interferometry
ESPRITEuropean Strategic Programme for Research in Information Technology
ESRelectrical substitution radiometer; electron spin resonance
ESSAenvironmental survey satellite
ESTMelectron scanning tunneling microscope
esuelectrostatic unit
ETephemeris time
etalonAn etalon is an optical device that consists of two parallel reflecting surfaces separated by a precise and known distance. It operates based on the principle of optical interference and is used to...
etaloningEtaloning is an optical phenomenon that occurs in imaging systems, particularly in devices such as spectrometers, interferometers, and cameras. It is characterized by the appearance of interference...
etchingThe engraving of a surface by acid, acid fumes or a tool; a process extensively used in the manufacture of reticles.
etching liquidAn acid used to etch the surfaces of particular materials. For glass, hydrofluoric acid is used either as a liquid or a vapor. Metals are etched by means of suitable acids or other liquids, often to...
ETDedge thickness difference
etendueA product of the area of a light beam (normal to its direction of propagation) and the solid angle that the beam includes; flux per unit radiance or luminance. Alternative terms: geometric extent,...
ETIRenvironmental thermal infrared
ETOMelectron trapping optical memory
eutecticThe material that has the lowest possible constant melting point of any possible combination of the same components.
EUVextreme ultraviolet
eVelectron volt
evanescent field theoryA high-frequency approach to the propagation of light in graded-index fibers in which the modal field is represented in terms of an inhomogeneous (evanescent) plane wave with a complex phase, so that...
evaporagraphA sensor generally used for infrared imaging. It consists of two chambers separated by a thin, blackened membrane. An infrared image is formed on the membrane by a lens or mirror and produces...
evaporation coatingCoating carried out in a sealed chamber evacuated by a mechanical pump in series with an oil diffusion pump to a pressure less than 10-4 mm of mercury, measured by a vacuum gauge. At such a low...
evapotranspirationA process, either naturally occurring or mechanically induced, whereby water is changed from its liquid state into a vapor.
event-based sensorAn event-based image sensor, also known as a dynamic vision sensor (DVS), is a type of digital imaging device designed to capture visual information in a highly efficient and unique way compared to...
EVRelectronic video recording
EWelectronic warfare; early warning
EWACSelectronic wide-angle camera system
exaIn the SI system, prefix meaning 1018. (E).
EXAFSextended x-ray absorption edge fine structure
excess noise factorA factor, F, indicating the increase in shot noise in an avalanche photodiode as compared with the ideal multiplier, which is noiseless. The noise, which results from variations in avalanche gains,...
excimerA contraction of "excited dimer." The term refers to an excited species made by combination of two identical atoms or molecules, one of which is excited and one of which is at a ground...
excimer laserAn excimer laser is a type of ultraviolet laser that emits short pulses of light in the ultraviolet spectrum. The term excimer is derived from excited dimer, reflecting the nature of the gain medium...
excimer laser coronary angioplastyExcimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) refers to a medical procedure used in the treatment of coronary artery disease. This technique involves the use of an excimer laser to perform angioplasty, a...
exciplexThe term "excimer," strictly used, refers to excited species made by combination of two identical moieties, atoms or molecules. Excited complexes that do not fall into this category are...
excitation1. The process by which an atom acquires energy sufficient to raise it to a quantum state higher than its ground state. 2. More specifically with respect to lasers, the process by which the material...
excitation energyThe difference between the energy of an atom in its ground state and that of the same atom in its excited (quantum) state.
excitation indexThe ratio of the intensities of two specified spectral lines of a source having vastly different excitation energies. This ratio indicates the level of excitation energy in the source.
excitation potentialThe amount of energy required to raise the energy level of an atom; a necessity if the atom is to radiate energy. High excitation potential is the amount of energy in the upper state of the...
excitation purityOn the CIE chromaticity diagram, the distance from the achromatic point to the sample point, divided by the distance from the achromatic point through the sample point to the spectrum locus or purple...
excitation volumeThe amount of x-rays used to penetrate and diffuse a target sample undergoing electron-probe microanalysis.
excited stateThe stationary state of an ion, atom or molecule, above the ground state that is produced by the interaction with the radiation field or another ion, atom or molecule. See ground state.
excited-state absorptionIn laser pumping, parasitic absorption that occurs at certain wavelengths, decreasing pump efficiency and gain.
Photonics Dictionary