Photonics Dictionary: E

In target tracking, a technique for speeding up the image processing by removing bunches of pixels that are outside the area of interest.

That branch of science involved in the study and utilization of the motion, emissions and behaviors of currents of electrical energy flowing through gases, vacuums, semiconductors and conductors, not...

The movement of particles or ions in a solution toward the electrode having the opposite sign because of the application of an electrical field.

An electrophoretic display, often referred to as an electronic paper display or e-paper display, is a type of electronic visual display technology used in electronic devices for the purpose of...

An electrowetting display (EWD) is a type of electronic display technology that utilizes the principles of electrowetting to control the behavior of colored oil droplets on a hydrophobic surface....

A spectrometer equipped with polarizing prisms and retardation plates that is used in the analysis of elliptically polarized light, mostly in the study of thin, evaporated films.

Ellipsometry is an optical technique used to characterize the properties of thin films and surfaces. It is based on the measurement of changes in the polarization state of light reflected or...

The quality of asymmetrical intensity distribution in a laser beam, as opposed to a circular distribution.

The term "embedded laser" typically refers to a laser device that is integrated or embedded into a larger system or structure. In this context, "embedded" implies that the laser is an integral part...

Embedded vision refers to the integration of computer vision technologies into various embedded systems, devices, or machines. Computer vision involves teaching machines to interpret and understand...

A hologram imprinted on plastic or another medium; e.g., those commonly found on credit cards.

In optics, the light ray leaving a medium in contrast to the entering or incident ray.

Thermal emission caused by the unity in absorption bands that must be discriminated when calculating radiation intensity of any celestial object.

A study of the energies and wavelengths of radiation emitted by atoms and molecules when particular physical conditions are applied to them.

An emission spectrum is a graphical representation or a characteristic pattern of the wavelengths or frequencies of light emitted by a source, such as an atom, molecule, or celestial object. It shows...

A computer-generated routine for achieving true-temperature readings in thermal infrared imaging systems.

The normal condition of vision where an object at infinity is in sharp focus with the eye lens in a neutral or relaxed state.

In photography, the layer of light-sensitive material (usually a suspension of silver halide crystals) that coats the film or plate.

The sensitivity of a photographic emulsion when exposed to light, provided that the film is developed through a standard process.

Enantiomers are a pair of molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, similar to left and right hands. They are stereoisomers, meaning they have the same molecular formula and...

An arc lamp whose carbon electrodes are enclosed in a transparent chamber, resulting in an arc that is steadier, lasts longer and emits more ultraviolet radiation.

A laser or laser system positioned within an enclosure to prevent dangerous optical radiation from leaving the enclosure.

End-fire coupling refers to a method of coupling energy into or out of a waveguide, transmission line, or antenna, where the electromagnetic waves are directed primarily along the axis or direction...

An endoscope is a medical device used for visualizing and examining the interior of hollow organs, body cavities, or confined spaces within the body. It consists of a flexible or rigid tube equipped...

A laser that distributes its output power among two, three or four optical fibers simultaneously.

In a lens or other optical system, the image of the aperture stop as seen from object space.

The entrance slit, also known simply as the slit, is an essential component in optical instruments such as spectrometers and monochromators. It is a narrow opening or aperture through which light...

A test chamber designed to expose the subject being tested to external conditions, such as heat, shock, pressure and moisture, for the study of their effects.

Potential hazards to a system's application and installation, including temperature variations, chemical reactivity, mechanical stress and moisture.

The maximum to minimum range of temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration and biological conditions under which an optical component or system can function and be stored. The range required depends...

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a laboratory technique used to detect and measure the presence of specific substances, such as antibodies, antigens, proteins, hormones, or other...

A tabulation of predicted positions that have been calculated for one or more celestial bodies or orbiting satellites.

Epitaxial refers to the growth of a crystalline layer on a crystalline substrate in such a way that the orientation of the crystal lattice of the growing layer is related to that of the substrate. In...

Epitaxial deposition is a process used in semiconductor manufacturing and materials science to grow a thin crystalline layer, known as an epitaxial layer, on a substrate. The term epitaxial refers to...

Epitaxial equipment refers to a set of specialized tools and systems used in the process of epitaxy, which is the growth of crystalline layers on a substrate material. Epitaxial growth is a critical...

A well controlled thin films technique for growing films with good crystal structure in ultra high vacuum environments at very low deposition rates. Epitaxy methods are well known for the growing of...

A stimulus that contains equal energy at each wavelength in the visible region of the spectrum.

A telescope stand equipped with a polar axis that can be set parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation and a declination axis that is at right angles to the polar axis. If the telescope is turned at a...

1. A contour map of a photographic deposit consisting of lines and curves that join points of equal density. 2. The portrayal of a photograph's points of equal density in hues of yellow, cyan and...

1. The use of an electronic microdensitometer to measure points of equal density on a photographic deposit. 2. A technique that simplifies a picture's density pattern by making a single isodensity...

The length of optical waveguide needed to attain equilibrium mode distribution for a specified excitation condition.