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6,654 terms

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positive spherical aberration -> spherical aberration

Spherical aberration is an optical aberration that occurs when light rays passing through a lens or curved optical surface do not converge or diverge to a single focal point. Instead of focusing to a...

positive-intrinsic-negative diode -> PIN photodiode

A PIN photodiode is a type of photodetector or semiconductor device used to convert light signals into electrical signals. The name "PIN" is derived from the arrangement of the three semiconductor...

positron -> electron

A charged elementary particle of an atom; the term is most commonly used in reference to the negatively charged particle called a negatron. Its mass at rest is me = 9.109558 x 10-31 kg, its charge is...

positron emission tomography

A medical imaging device that uses a ring of crystal/photomultiplier tube assemblies encircling the patient to detect gamma rays emitted by positrons colliding with electrons.

positronium

Basically, a hydrogen atom with two alterations, positronium is the lightest atom in the universe and has an extremely light positron in its nucleus that replaces hydrogen's proton so that its atomic...

posterization

In image processing, the effect caused by large jumps between gray levels, rather than a gradual change.

potassium titanyl phosphate

A crystalline material with a high electro-optic coefficient, capable of operating at short wavelengths, with applications in laser, optical disc, printing and microwave systems.

potentiometer

A device designed to measure electromotive force or electrical difference potential.

potting -> imbedding material

A thermoplastic or thermosetting material used to hold an object fixed and keep it from deterioration. In microcircuitry, the process of imbedding is known as potting.

powder camera

A camera system that uses a fine powder to diffract x-rays from the specimen. A beam of monochromatic x-rays passes through a collimator onto the specimen. Diffracted x-rays are recorded on the film...

powder radiography

A technique used in radiography to determine a crystal's structure by obtaining radiographs of it in powder form, normally by the use of a powder camera that forms an image of the crystal's x-ray...

power

With respect to a lens, the reciprocal of its focal length. The term power, as applied to a telescope or microscope, often is used as an abbreviation for magnifying power.

power average

For a pulsed laser, the product of the energy per pulse (joule) and the pulse frequency (hertz); expressed in watts.

power density

In laser welding or heat treating, the instantaneous laser beam power per unit area. This parameter is key in determining the fusion zone profile (area of base metal melted) on a workpiece.

power efficiency

The ratio of emitted power to input power.

power flow equation

Optical fiber channel characterization scheme based on three assumptions; the discrete mode spectrum can be replaced by a continuum; the loss due to coupling between guided and radiation modes...

power modulation

Power modulation refers to the intentional variation of power levels in a signal, often in the context of electronic communication systems. This modulation technique is used to encode information...

power ratio -> radiant power

The time rate of flow of radiant energy, expressed in watts (W), and carries the units of Joule per second (J/s). The prefix often is dropped and the term "power" used.

power scanning laws

Laws that predict the maximum power output as a function of tube diameter for a hydrogen cyanide laser of a given discharge length and cavity losses, all other parameters being optimized.

power spectrum equalization

A filtering method that restores a blurred image by setting its power spectrum equal to that of the original image.

power supply

Refers to the voltage and current necessary for the operation of circuit devices.

Poynting vector

In remote sensing technology, this represents the intensity of energy flow in the direction of wave propagation.

PP junction

A transition boundary between two regions having different properties in a P-type semiconducting material.

Prandtl number

Ratio of the molecular diffusion coefficients of momentum in terms of heat; used in convection studies.

precision aperture

An accurately produced hole of any size and shape that is used as a masking device in an optical system. Pinhole apertures of accurate diameters often are produced by laser beam penetration or by...

preform

A glass structure from which an optical fiber waveguide may be drawn.

prefusing

A step before fusion splicing that involves cleaning the fiber end with low-current electricity.

prelasing

When uncontrolled laser energy leaks from a laser cavity prematurely, it causes serious damage to optical components and significant downtime for repair.

Prentice's rule

A method of determining prism power at any point on a lens. Prism power equals the product of the dioptric power and the distance, in centimeters, from the optical center.

presbyopia

A state in which the human eye has very little or no power of accommodation. A common and normal condition in the eyes of those age 50 and older.

pressing

A blank having basic surface curves attained by forming heat-softened glass that is pressed in a mold.

pressure broadening -> collision broadening

The broadening of spectral lines due to the collision of radiating particles with one another and the resulting interruption of the radiative process.

pressurization

Injecting a gas (usually nitrogen) with a very low moisture content into the body of an optical instrument to create a positive internal pressure. This prevents the entrance of moisture, which could...

primary chromatic aberration

Also referred to as primary color, this is the classic chromatic aberration of a single element caused by the variation of index of refraction as a function of wavelength.

primary coating

In a waveguide, the material in intimate contact with the cladding surface, applied to preserve the integrity of that surface.

primary colors

A set of three colored lights which, when mixed, give the sensation of white light. The set used in color television, for example, is red, green, blue (RGB).

primary fluorescence

Fluorescence produced as a result of the intrinsic property of the material itself or the doping of the material with trace elements.

primary spectrum

The first-order spectrum formed by a diffraction grating.

principal axis

A straight line connecting the curvature centers of the refracting lens surfaces. In a mechanical sense, a line joining the centers of a lens as it is placed in a mount. The principal axis is the...

principal E-plane

The plane in which the axis of maximum radiation and the electric vector are contained.

principal focus -> focal point

That point on the optical axis of a lens, to which an incident bundle of parallel light rays will converge.

principal plane

In a lens or lens system, that surface at which the projections of an entering and exiting ray intersect. Also known as the equivalent refracting surface, the principal plane is most often not...

principal point

The intersection of the principal plane and the optical axis of a lens.

principal point of focus -> focal point

That point on the optical axis of a lens, to which an incident bundle of parallel light rays will converge.

principal ray

The ray of an oblique pencil beam that passes through the center of the pupils. It is the effective axis of the oblique beam. Also called the chief ray.

principal section

A plane passing through a crystal that has the optic axis of the crystal and the light ray under consideration.

principle of least time -> Fermat's principle

The principle that a light ray extending from one point to another will, after any number of reflections and refractions, follow the path requiring the least transit time. This is also known as the...

printer

A photographic enlarger with a fixed negative plane and a fixed paper plane, often using a roll of paper that is advanced automatically between exposures. The lens is interchangeable to suit a range...

prism apex

The thin edge of a refracting prism; the line of intersection of two refracting surfaces of a prism.

prism base

The thick edge of a refracting prism.

Photonics DictionaryDefinitions