Meadowlark Optics - Wave Plates 6/24 LB 2024

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444 terms

Photonics Dictionary: A

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apparent field

The angular subtense of the field of view in the image space of a telescope, as differentiated from that in the object space (the true field).

apparent luminance

The perceived brightness of an object being viewed at some distance, especially through an optical instrument.

apparent movement

The visual perception of motion when fixed stimuli are exposed in rapid temporal and spatial succession.

apparent visual angle

The angle subtended by an object, determined by the size of the object and its distance from the viewer.

APT

automatic picture transmission

aptamer

An aptamer is a short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecule that can bind to a specific target molecule with high affinity and specificity. Aptamers are often referred to as chemical antibodies due to...

aqueous humor

The transparent fluid that fills the portion of the eye between the cornea and the eye lens (the anterior chamber).

Abbe refractometer; acoustic radiometer; acoustic resonance; active region; alpha ray; amplitude ratio; antireflective; aperture ratio; applied research; argon; aspect ratio; atomic reactor; augmented reality

Arago spot

A bright spot or point, due to Fresnel diffraction, that appears at the center of the shadow of a circular object in light originating from a point source. Also referred to as a Fresnel spot or...

arc discharge

The electric arc that is a particular discharge between two electrodes in a gas or vapor which is characterized by high cathode densities and a low voltage drop.

arc flash

An arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy due to an electric arc — a continuous, high-current discharge of electricity between conductors or from a conductor to ground. Arc flashes...

arc light source

In present usage, especially for spectroscopic identification, an arc between electrodes that serves as a radiation source. Gas tubes that contain mercury vapor and mixtures of helium, neon and argon...

arc spectrum

The spectrum of the light produced by vaporizing an element in an electric arc.

arcuate displacement

Displacement in a direction perpendicular to that of the intended displacement, as in a translation stage with simple flexures that experiences vertical displacement during horizontal motion; it is...

ARE

activated reactive evaporation

area concentration

The ratio of aperture area over receiving area for a specific lens. Also called geometric concentration.

area image sensor -> mosaic detector array

A group of photosensors arranged in a grid-like pattern covering the entire field of view, enabling them to record it all at once (as a camera records an image on film) rather than by scanning parts...

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-ion laser

gas laser using ionized argon as the active medium and applying electronic excitation in order to produce the laser light

ARL

acceptable reliability level

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.

ASDSRS

automatic spectrum display and signal recognition system

ASE

amplified spontaneous emission

ASFIR

active swept frequency interferometer radar

ASIC

application-specific integrated circuit

ASK

amplitude shift keying

ASM

ampere second meter

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...

aspheric lens system

An optical system having one or more lens or mirror components that have nonspherical surfaces. These surfaces, whether reflecting or refracting, serve to advance or retard the incident wavefront,...

aspheric lens

An aspheric lens is a type of lens whose surface profiles deviate from the traditional spherical shape. Unlike spherical lenses, which have a constant curvature across their surfaces, aspheric lenses...

aspheric mirror

An aspheric mirror is an optical mirror surface that deviates from the shape of a perfect sphere, having a non-spherical surface profile. Unlike traditional spherical mirrors, which have a curved...

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.

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.

Photonics DictionaryA

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