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

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Photonics Dictionary

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shadowgraph

A method of demonstration or examination using a point source illumination without the use of any projection lens between the object and its shadow, the shadow being cast on a distant screen.

Shannon's sampling theorem -> finite sampling theorem

A finite version of Shannon's sampling theorem that states that a class of functions can be reconstructed exactly by a sufficient number of spectral samples; the reconstructed function is an explicit...

sharp

A term used to describe a convex surface having too short a radius of curvature. To correct this condition, material is cut from the outer portion of the polishing tool.

sharpness index

A function of the intensity distribution in an image aberrated by a quadratic curvature wavefront distortion.

shear

Image distortion that occurs when the axes of the original image are not perpendicular in the resulting image, making the resulting image appear slanted. Shear can be caused by movement of the...

sheet grating

A three-dimensional grating designed with thin metal sheets to remain opaque to all but one specific and predetermined wave.

sheet polarizer

A sheet of plastic material containing microscopic crystals of herapathite or some other similar substance that transmits light polarized in one direction, but absorbs light polarized in a...

SHG

second-harmonic generation

shining -> clearing

Also called shining. Grinding and polishing one surface of a blank to permit a more thorough examination for quality.

shock wave

Interruption in the normal flow of a plasma or fluid characterized by sharp rises in velocity, temperature and pressure. As the shock passes into a gaseous compound, gas particles are heated and...

short wavelength infrared

Short wavelength infrared (SWIR) refers to the portion of the infrared spectrum that encompasses wavelengths roughly between 1,000 and 3,000 nanometers (nm). In the electromagnetic spectrum, infrared...

short-arc lamp

A compact high-pressure light source in which an electrical discharge between electrodes spaced no more than 12 mm apart occurs in a xenon or other gas medium, providing a visible light resembling a...

short-focus lens -> wide-angle lens

A wide-angle lens is a type of camera lens that has a shorter focal length than a standard or normal lens, allowing it to capture a broader field of view. Wide-angle lenses are characterized by their...

short-wave radiation

Characterizes the significant solar radiation at the surface of the earth, so named because its spectral range extends only from 0.3 to 2.8 µm.

shot noise

Noise generated by the random variations in the number and velocity of the electrons from an emitter.

shunt resistance

In a silicon photodiode, the dynamic resistance (dv/d1) of the junction at zero volts.

shutter

A mechanical or electronic device used to control the amount of time that a light-sensitive material is exposed to radiation.

shutter speed tester

A device used to measure the opening time of a shutter. The most common devices depend on the charging or discharging of an electrical condenser, or on the production of a curve of open area against...

Systeme Internationale d'Unites, the international metric system of units.

International System of Units; step index

SID

silicon imaging device; Society for Information Display

SIDE

suprathermal ion detector

side mode suppression ratio

The relation of power between center peak longitudinal mode with the nearest higher order mode.

sidereal time

Frequently used in astronomical measurement, it is based on the diurnal rotation of a star relative to the fixed stellar system.

signal level

Calculation of peak and average transmission power at a given point along an optical fiber or cable.

signal-induced noise

Noise generated in the flow of current in the photomultiplier, produced by the intentional or controlled application of optical power to the photocathode.

silicon carbide light-emitting diodes

Silicon carbide (SiC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current is applied to them. These LEDs are made using silicon carbide as the...

silicon cell

A solid-state device, composed of silicon, that is used to convert radiation into electrical energy.

silicon photodiode

A silicon photodiode is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It is a type of photodetector specifically designed for detecting and measuring light intensity. Silicon...

Silsbee effect

The ability of an electrical current to destroy superconductivity by means of the magnetic field generated by the current. The temperature of the material is not raised, and the effect is identical...

silver halide emulsion

An emulsion in which grains of the photosensitive material silver halide are deposited. Each grain, when exposed to light, either develops or fails to develop as a unit, leaving a dark or clear...

silver spots

Spots in a polished glass surface that are opaque and have a silvery, metallic reflection.

silver-disc pyrheliometer

An instrument that uses a blackened silver-disc reflector with a shutter to create temperature fluctuations that are proportional to the intensity of the solar radiation incident upon it. Using the...

SIMD

single-instruction/multiple-data

SIMOX

separation by implantation of oxygen

simple magnifier

A short focal length (less than five inches) positive lens used to produce a magnified image of the object being viewed. While a single element will function, an achromat or multielement assembly...

simplex

A fiber optic transmission system in which data can go in only a single direction.

SIMS

secondary ion mass spectrometry

simulated annealing -> global optimization

A controlled random search process, such as generalized simulated annealing, that has been incorporated into many optical design programs as a way of helping designers find the most suitable lens...

simultaneous location and mapping

Technology that uses data from an array of sensors, one of which is commonly lidar, to solve the problem of creating a map of an unknown environment while simultaneously maintaining a location within...

sine wave object

An object that has a sinusoidal variation of luminance. Its image will have a sinusoidal variation of illuminance and the only effect of degeneration by the lens system will be to reduce the...

sine wave response -> modulation transfer function

Also called sine wave response and contrast transfer function. The modulation transfer function is the ratio of the modulation in the image to the modulation in the object as a function of frequency...

sine wave target

Bar pattern represented as a sine curve in which the light distribution varies in one direction.

sine wave testing chart

A test chart whose luminance changes uniformly in one direction according to a sinusoidal rule. These charts carry groups of black lines on a white ground, the intensity profile across the lines...

single attachment station

In a dual-ring local area network, a node that is connected only to the primary, active ring and not to the secondary ring that provides a backup in case of cable or system failure.

single instruction/multiple data

A computer architecture used in parallel processing whereby the processing elements are directed by a single, central control unit; generally used for large numbers of relatively simple processing...

single molecule localization microscopy

Single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) is a group of super-resolution microscopy techniques that surpass the diffraction limit of traditional optical microscopes, allowing for the...

single-beam gradient trap -> laser tweezers

A technique based on the principles of laser trapping and used to manipulate the position of small particles by gradually changing the position of the laser beam or beams once the particles are...

single-defect model

A model that predicts laser-induced damage to thin films caused by irradiation of identical, randomly distributed film defects.

single-molecule FRET

Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a specialized technique in biophysics and molecular biology used to study the distances and dynamic interactions between two...

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