ICs Dictionary Terms
diode-pumped solid-state laserA diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) is a type of laser system that uses semiconductor diode lasers to pump energy into...
remote laser weldingA robotic process commonly employed by automakers that enables high-speed and flexible production throughput by using...
optical gratingAn optical grating, in the context of optics and physics, refers to a device with a periodic structure of closely spaced,...
surface1. In optics, one of the exterior faces of an optical element. 2. The process of grinding or generating the face of an...
filter wheelA device that holds a number of filters and allows the filter with the desired characteristics to be rotated into an optical...
triclinicWith respect to a crystal, having three unequal axes intersecting at angles, only two of which can be equal and only one of...
resolution targetA chart on paper or glass containing a series of sets of lines at progressively smaller spacing and used to ascertain the...
metrologyMetrology is the science and practice of measurement. It encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement,...
edge-emitting LEDAn edge-emitting light-emitting diode is a type of LED structure where light emission occurs primarily along the edge of the...
binary opticsOptical elements, often created by micromachining, lithography or vacuum deposition, that rely on diffraction of the...
hologramAn interference pattern that is recorded on a high-resolution plate, the two interfering beams formed by a coherent beam...
reflectionReturn of radiation by a surface, without change in wavelength. The reflection may be specular, from a smooth surface;...
deep ultravioletDeep ultraviolet (DUV or deep-UV) refers to a specific range of ultraviolet light with shorter wavelengths than those in the...
Cooke triplet lensThe simplest lens in which all primary aberrations may be corrected. It consists of two positive crown elements on either...
motion controllerIn optics, a motion controller refers to a device or system that precisely controls the movement of optical components, such...
light dispersionThe process whereby white light is separated into its component wavelengths. Light beams of different wavelengths are...
low Earth orbitLow Earth orbit (LEO) refers to a region in space that is relatively close to Earth's surface, typically characterized by...
nitrogen vacancyA nitrogen vacancy (NV) refers to a specific type of defect or impurity in a crystal lattice where a nitrogen atom replaces...
periscopeAn optical instrument designed to displace the line of sight in a vertical direction. For submarines and other military uses...
Sagnac interferometerA type of interferometer in which two coils of optical fiber are arranged so that light from a single source travels...
breakout cableA breakout cable, also known as a fan-out cable or breakout assembly, is a type of cable that combines multiple individual...
spectrographAn optical instrument for forming the spectrum of a light source and recording it on a film. The dispersing medium may be a...
video graphics arrayA display standard no longer in use and originally defined for IBM PCs, with 640 3 480 pixels in 16 colors and a 4:3 aspect...
focal plane assemblyAn infrared imaging device composed of a detector array and readout electronics. It may include a cryogenic cooling system....
Schmidt cameraA camera that consists of a concave spherical mirror with an aspheric plate situated at the center of curvature of the...
whispering gallery modeWhispering gallery mode (WGM) refers to a phenomenon in wave physics, particularly in optics, where waves, such as light or...
cladding modeA mode that is confined by virtue of a lower-index medium surrounding the cladding. Cladding modes, in the terminology of...
liquid marbleLiquid marble refers to a unique form of microscale liquid encapsulation, where small droplets of liquid are coated with a...
FMCW lidarFMCW lidar stands for frequency-modulated continuous wave lidar. It is a type of lidar (light detection and ranging)...
attenuatorAn electronic transducer, either fixed or adjustable, that reduces the amplitude of a wave without causing significant...
Fizeau interferometerA type of interferometer noted for producing narrow multiple-beam interference fringes. As a result, when compared with the...
selenologyThat branch of astronomy concerned with the study of the moon's physical characteristics.
optical distanceThe physical length of the light path in a substance divided by the refractive index of that substance. See also equivalent...
terahertz spectrometerA terahertz spectrometer is a scientific instrument used to measure and analyze the properties of materials in the terahertz...
dewettingDewetting is a phenomenon in materials science and physics where a thin film or coating spontaneously undergoes a process of...
loose-tube bufferingIn fiber optic cable, containment of the fiber or fibers within an outer protective tube in which they can move to some...
neutralizationIn optics, the process of combining two lenses having equal and opposite powers to produce a result having no power.
Fizeau fringesFizeau fringes are interference fringes observed in an interferometer, specifically in a Fizeau interferometer. The Fizeau...
resonanceResonance can be defined in various contexts, including physics, chemistry, and music. Here are definitions for resonance in...
wedgeAn optical element having plane-inclined surfaces. Usually the faces are inclined toward one another at very small angles....
fluorescence lifetime imagingFluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is an advanced imaging technique that provides information about the lifetime of...
Gaussian profileAn intensity distribution (intensity as a function of radial distance from the beam center) which is given by the Gaussian...
second-harmonic generationSecond-harmonic generation (SHG) is a nonlinear optical process that occurs when two photons with the same frequency combine...
chirped-pulse amplificationChirped pulse amplification (CPA) is a technique used in laser physics to amplify ultrashort laser pulses to high energies...
binocularDesignating any instrument in which both eyes can be used to view the image to achieve a stereoscopic effect, or merely to...
substrateA substrate refers to a material or surface upon which another material or process is applied or deposited. In various...
femtosecond laserA femtosecond laser is a type of laser that emits ultrashort pulses of light with durations on the order of femtoseconds,...
dispersive powerA measure of the dispersive properties of a glass. The relative dispersion is defined as:
where C, D, and F refer to the...
holmium laserHolmium lasers are a type of medical laser that utilizes holmium-doped crystals as the gain medium. The term holmium laser...
Maksutov correctorA thick meniscus lens arranged concentric with the center of curvature of a spherical mirror to produce an image free of...
vapor-phase axial depositionA process by which high-quality fiber optics are made. See axial vapor-phase deposition.
time domainThe time domain is a concept used in signal processing and analysis to describe signals in terms of their behavior over...
oculometerAn electro-optical infrared tracker consisting of a beamsplitter, an illuminating source, an image dissector tube and an...
free-electron laserA free-electron laser (FEL) is a type of laser that generates coherent, high-intensity electromagnetic radiation by using a...
diode laserA diode laser is a type of laser that uses a semiconductor diode as the active medium to generate coherent light....
attenuationAttenuation refers to the gradual loss or reduction of intensity, force, or magnitude of a particular property as it...
polarization-preserving fiberSingle-mode fiber that preserves the plane of polarization of the light launched into it as the beam propagates through its...
high-vacuum tubeAn electron tube whose electrical characteristics will not be affected by gaseous ionization because of its high degree of...
Barlow lensA negative lens used to increase the effective focal length of a telescope objective.
coated opticsOptical elements that have been coated with one or more layers of dielectric, or metallic material. These coatings serve to...
thin-film coatingThin-film coatings are layers of material applied to the surface of an object or substrate, typically to modify its optical,...
modulation transfer function analysis/measurement equipmentMTF analysis/measurement equipment refers to instruments and tools used to measure and analyze the modulation transfer...
indium gallium arsenide cameraAn InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) camera is a type of imaging device that utilizes InGaAs sensors to capture images in the...
paraboloidal mirrorA concave mirror that has the form of a paraboloid of revolution. The paraboloidal mirror may have only a portion of a...
time-correlated single photon countingTime-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is a technique used in photon counting applications, particularly in the...
axisA straight line, real or imaginary, passing through a body and indicating its center; a line so positioned that various...
Huygenian eyepieceAn ocular having two planoconvex lenses that are formed from similar glass and that are separated by a space equal to half...
magnitudeIn astronomy, the relative brightness of a celestial body. Originally a scale from 1 to 6, where 1 represented the brightest...
scratch resistant coatingThin layers intended to prevent damage to plastic optics.
nonlinear optical effectA class of optical phenomena that can be viewed only with nearly monochromatic, directional beams of light, such as those...
beam shaperA beam shaper is an optical device or system designed to modify the spatial profile or intensity distribution of a laser or...
head-up displayAn optical system that superimposes a synthetic display providing navigational or weapon-aiming information on a pilot's or...
microdisplayA microdisplay is a miniature electronic display technology that is designed to project visual information onto a small...
active-matrix OLED displayAn OLED display that has an integrated electronic backplane as its substrate. Active-matrix OLED displays use at least two...
replica gratingA reproduction made of an original grating -- usually by casting thermosetting plastics onto the original -- to avoid the...
rotating mirror scannerDeveloped for use in military reconnaissance systems, it consists of a polygonal mirror, drive motor, interface between...
prism powerThe power, expressed in prism diopters, that is the linear displacement, in centimeters, produced by the prism one meter...
optical densityA measure of the transmittance through an optical medium. Optical density equals the log to the base 10 of the reciprocal of...
neuromorphicNeuromorphic refers to the design and development of computing systems or devices that are inspired by the structure and...
cylindrical lensA cylindrical lens is an optical component that has different curvatures along its two orthogonal axes, resulting in a shape...
lidarLidar, short for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and...
high harmonic generationHigh harmonic generation (HHG) refers to a nonlinear optical process in which intense laser light interacts with a gaseous...
alphanumeric generatorIn computer graphics, a character generator that produces alphabetical and numerical characters with some punctuation and...
tunnelingAn observed effect of the ability of certain atomic particles to pass through a barrier that they cannot pass over because...
aplanatic pointsAplanatic points refer to specific points in an optical system where certain aberrations, such as spherical aberration or...
penumbraA source of light will not cast a distinct shadow of an interfering, opaque object, but will cast a shadow having two parts:...
single molecule localization microscopySingle molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) is a group of super-resolution microscopy techniques that surpass the...
overhead projectorA projector used to project transparencies. A horizontal 8 x 10-in. stage for writing or laying down preformed...
photovoltaic cellA photovoltaic cell, commonly known as a solar cell, is a semiconductor device that directly converts light energy into...
apochromatAn apochromat, often referred to as an apochromatic lens or apochromatic objective, is a type of optical system designed to...
binocular microscopeA microscope designed with two eyepieces (oculars), permitting the use of both eyes when viewing through the instrument.
electro-optics1. The branch of physics that deals with the use of electrical energy to create or manipulate light waves, generally by...
quantum-ehanced metrologyQuantum-enhanced metrology refers to the use of quantum mechanics principles and techniques to enhance the precision and...
laser coolingA process and method by which manipulation and orientation of a given number of directed laser beams decreases the motion of...
calcium indicatorA calcium indicator is a molecule that is sensitive to changes in calcium ion (Ca2+) concentrations in biological systems....
fiber Bragg gratingA fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a type of optical filter that is inscribed or "written" into the core of an optical fiber. It...
machine visionMachine vision, also known as computer vision or computer sight, refers to the technology that enables machines, typically...
photon jetA photon jet is a narrow, highly collimated beam of light that is formed when light interacts with small dielectric...
photonics contract manufacturingPhotonics contract manufacturing refers to the outsourcing of the production of photonics-related components, devices, or...
scintillation crystalA scintillation crystal, also known simply as a scintillator, is a material that emits light when it interacts with ionizing...
computer-generated hologramA computer-generated hologram (CGH) is a holographic image produced using computational methods and algorithms, rather than...
transversely excited atmosphere carbon dioxide laserAbbreviated TEA CO2 laser. A gas laser that provides shorter pulses and higher peak powers than conventional CO2 lasers. The...
Raman effectWhen light is transmitted through matter, part of the light is scattered in random directions. A small part of the scattered...
time-to-amplitude converterA time-to-amplitude converter (TAC) is an electronic circuit that converts a time interval between two events into an...
crystalline axesThe axes of symmetry in a crystal structure. See also biaxial crystal; uniaxial crystal.
Judas opticsA small defocused Galilean telescope mounted in a hole in a door. Viewed from inside through the positive lens, a wide-angle...
transverse modeIn the context of optics and lasers, a transverse mode refers to a specific spatial pattern of the electric field within the...
cleaning equipmentIn optics, degreasers or ultrasonic arrangements used for removing pitch, cement or polishing material from lenses during...
sapphire crystalSapphire crystal refers to a transparent, single-crystal form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) known as corundum. It is one of the...
Nernst glowerA Nernst glower, also known simply as a Nernst lamp or Nernst filament, is a type of incandescent lamp or radiant heater...
nematic phaseA form of liquid crystal with an appearance of moving, threadlike structures, particularly visible when observed in thick...
sputtering equipmentSputtering equipment is machinery used in the process of physical vapor deposition (PVD), specifically sputtering....
atomic absorption spectrometerAn atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) is an analytical instrument used to determine the concentration of specific chemical...
achromatAn achromat, in the context of optics, refers to a type of lens or lens system designed to reduce chromatic aberration....
morphological processingA set of algorithms used to study the structural and spatial characteristics of objects in a digitized image for...
Ultraviolet-CUltraviolet-C (UV-C) refers to a specific range of ultraviolet radiation with shorter wavelengths than those of visible...
diffractive lensAny optical device that utilizes diffraction in an image-forming capability. Familiar diffractive lenses are zone plates,...
Fabry-Perot interferometerA multiple-beam interferometer, usually consisting of two flat plates, with high reflective ability. The plates are set...
hyperspectral imagingHyperspectral imaging is an advanced imaging technique that captures and processes information from across the...
mid-wave infraredMWIR stands for mid-wave infrared, referring to a specific range of wavelengths within the infrared spectrum. Infrared...
sag1. In the geometric sense, an abbreviation for the term "sagitta,'' the height of a curve measured from the chord.
...
physiological opticsThe study of visual perception by the sense of sight.
micro-roboticsMicro-robotics refers to the field of robotics that involves the design, development, and application of miniature robotic...
elbow telescopeA refracting telescope that uses a prism to bend the line of sight 90°.
rare earth dopantsRare earth dopants refer to elements from the lanthanide series, also known as rare earth elements, that are intentionally...
3D laser line profile sensorA 3D profile sensor, also known as a 3D profiling sensor or 3D depth sensor, is a technology that is used to capture and...
photomultiplier tubeA photomultiplier tube (PMT) is a highly sensitive vacuum tube that detects and amplifies low levels of light. It is widely...
corner cubeA corner cube, also known as a corner reflector or retroreflector prism, is a type of optical device used to reflect light...
spectral domain optical coherence tomographySpectral domain optical coherence tomography is an imaging technique used in medical diagnostics, particularly in...
chip-on-board lightsChip-on-board (COB) lights refer to a type of LED lighting technology where multiple LED chips are directly mounted onto a...
silicon carbide light-emitting diodesSilicon carbide (SiC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current is...
thick-phase materialA type of recording material, usually a photodielectric polymer, offering in situ development mechanisms because of its...
sapphireSapphire refers to a crystalline form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that is used in various optical and photonic applications...
modulation spectroscopyA method of spectral analysis in which some property of the sample is varied and the corresponding change is measured. The...
vacuum chamberA vacuum chamber is a sealed enclosure from which air and other gases are removed to create a low-pressure environment,...
optical figureThe amount by which an optical surface deviates from its ideal design value, expressed in wavelengths of light. Optical...
nanopositioningNanopositioning refers to the precise and controlled movement or manipulation of objects or components at the nanometer...
fluorescence microscopyFluorescence microscopy is a specialized optical imaging technique used in biology, chemistry, and materials science to...
particle accelerationParticle acceleration refers to the process by which charged particles, such as electrons or protons, gain kinetic energy...
lens testing equipmentLens testing equipment refers to a range of specialized tools and instruments used to evaluate the optical performance,...
distributed feedback laserA distributed feedback laser (DFB laser) is a type of semiconductor laser diode designed to emit coherent, narrow-bandwidth...
optics of materialThe area of optics that deals with the interaction of light with a given material. The optical properties of material are...
Snell's law of refractionThe incident ray, the normal to the refracting surface at the point of incidence of the ray at the surface, and the...
Young's two-slit interferenceThe method by which Thomas Young in 1802 disproved Newton's corpuscular theory of light by the formation of interference...
fiber optic gyroscopeA fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) is a type of gyroscope that uses the interference of light waves to detect changes in...
laser cavityA laser cavity, also known as an optical cavity or resonator, is a fundamental component of a laser system. It is a confined...
opticalPertaining to optics and the phenomena of light.
transducerA transducer is a device or component that converts one form of energy into another. It is commonly used in various fields,...
replicated opticsOptical components, usually reflectors, produced using proprietary techniques that transfer the precision of a master to a...
ultraviolet reflectanceUltraviolet reflectance refers to the ability of a material or surface to reflect UV light. Ultraviolet light is...
Mach-Zehnder interferometerA Mach-Zehnder interferometer is an optical device used to measure the phase difference between two collimated beams of...
landolt ringA broken circle used as the test object in distinguishing visual acuity. The width of the gap in the circle is equal to the...
digital point systemA pixel-based computer graphics system that simulates the tools of an artist.
extreme ultravioletExtreme ultraviolet (EUV) refers to a specific range of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum....
hard elasticsHigh-modulus elastic fibers that exhibit the following differences from conventional elastic fibers: Increasing temperature...
blackbody sourceA blackbody source, often simply referred to as a blackbody, is a theoretical or practical physical object that absorbs all...
optical pyrometerAn instrument for determining the temperature of a hot object by examining the color spectrum of the visible light it gives...
Galilean telescopeA refracting telescope that yields an erect image by the use of a positive lens for its objective and a negative lens for...
absolute whiteA perfect diffuser that exists only as a concept, or a white with known spectral characteristics used as a reference in...
Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensorThe Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is an optical device used for measuring the wavefront aberrations of an optical system....
freeform opticsFreeform optics refers to the design and fabrication of optical surfaces that do not follow traditional symmetric shapes,...
circular dichroismCircular dichroism (CD) is a spectroscopic technique used to study the structural characteristics of chiral (asymmetric)...
evaporagraphA sensor generally used for infrared imaging. It consists of two chambers separated by a thin, blackened membrane. An...
exposureIn optics, the total radiant energy incident on a surface-per-unit area. It is equal to the integral over time of the...
holographic microscopyThe holographic recording of a microscopic specimen whereby magnification is achieved by alteration in a wavelength or...
cosine law of illuminationLaw relating the illuminance (or irradiance) of a surface to the cosine of the angle, q, between the normal to the surface...
leaky rayIn an optical waveguide, a ray for which geometric optics would predict total internal reflection at the core boundary, but...
scanner1. A device used to trace out an object and build up an image. One of the most common of these types is video scanning. The...
area scanArea scan, in the context of imaging and cameras, refers to a method of capturing an entire two-dimensional image in a...
phase screenA phase screen, in the context of optics and wave optics, refers to a surface or medium that introduces a phase delay to an...
phononA phonon is a quantum of vibrational energy associated with the periodic motion of atoms or molecules in a crystalline...
minimum angle of deviationThe smallest angle through which light is bent by an optical element or system. In a prism, the angle of deviation is a...
collimatorAn optical instrument consisting of a well- corrected objective lens or mirror with a light source and or object/image (i.e....
slide projectorAn optical projection device designed to project positive color transparencies onto a screen for viewing.
optical assemblyAn optical assembly refers to a collection of optical components that are carefully arranged and aligned to perform a...
electronicsThat branch of science involved in the study and utilization of the motion, emissions and behaviors of currents of...
duplet lens systemAn optical system having two sets of components separated by an air space, while successive lenses in each set are cemented...
electron multiplication charge-coupled device cameraAn EMCCD (electron-multiplying charge-coupled device) camera is a type of scientific camera specifically designed for...
focal lengthThe focal length of a lens is the distance between the lens's optical center (or principal point) and the image sensor or...
RTSP protocolRTSP, or real-time streaming protocol, is a network control protocol designed for controlling streaming media servers. It is...
optical barcode readerAn optical barcode reader, commonly known as a barcode scanner, is a device that uses optical technology to capture and...
off-axis paraboloid and ellipsoid mirrorOff-axis paraboloid and ellipsoid mirrors are specialized optical components used in various optical systems, particularly...
angle of incidenceThe angle formed between a ray of light striking a surface and the normal to that surface at the point of incidence.
microRNAMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, single-stranded RNA molecules, typically consisting of about 19 to 24 nucleotides,...
internet of thingsThe internet of things (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other objects...
polaritonA polariton is a quasiparticle resulting from the strong coupling between photons (light particles) and certain types of...
atom opticsThe area of optics in which the wave nature of a particle is exploited to carry out very accurate interferometry and other...
texelA contraction for "texture element." A base unit used in computer graphics that defines the surface of three-dimensional...
line scanLine scan refers to a method of capturing images or data by scanning a single line at a time, as opposed to capturing the...
pressurizationInjecting a gas (usually nitrogen) with a very low moisture content into the body of an optical instrument to create a...
piezoelectric transducers and ceramic materialsPiezoelectric transducers are devices that utilize the piezoelectric effect to convert electrical energy into mechanical...
figureIn optics, the geometrical form of an optical surface.
spectrophotometerA spectrophotometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the intensity of light at various wavelengths in the...
plastic optical fiberPlastic optical fiber (POF) is a type of optical fiber made from transparent plastic, typically polymethylmethacrylate...
prismA prism is a geometric optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. It is typically a solid, transparent...
qubitA qubit, short for quantum bit, is the fundamental unit of information in quantum computing and quantum information...
micro-optical coherence tomographyMicro-optical coherence tomography (micro-OCT) is an imaging technique that is an adaptation of optical coherence tomography...
spline functionPotential alternative to the conventional pulse approximation method of digital image processing because of its highly...
kinematicsThat portion of physics concerned with motion in the abstract, such as of points or space figures, and separated from its...
crystal opticsThe study of the transmission of radiant energy through crystals, especially anisotropic crystals, and their effects on...
biophotonicsThe technology that deals with the interaction of organic materials with light and other forms of radiant energy whose...
barrel distortionThe negative distortion that causes a square grid pattern to be imaged as barrel-shaped.
fluorescenceFluorescence is a type of luminescence, which is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other...
slicing and cutting machines - for crystals, quartz, glass, etc.A crystal, glass, or quartz slicing and cutting machine is a specialized piece of equipment used in the manufacturing...
optical coatingsOptical coatings are thin layers of materials applied to optical components, such as lenses, mirrors, filters, and prisms,...
surface-emitting laser diodeA semiconductor laser diode that emits light perpendicular to the active region. The output radiation is taken through the...
eye test apparatusInstruments used by ophthalmologists and optometrists to study the eye. There are, for instance, the ophthalmoscope to...
optical phase distortionOptical phase distortion refers to a phenomenon where the phase of an optical wavefront is altered as it propagates through...
Luneburg lensA dielectric sphere with an index of refraction that varies with distance from the sphere center. A parallel beam of rays is...
photonic crystalsPhotonic crystals are artificial structures or materials designed to manipulate and control the flow of light in a manner...
Fresnel mirrorsTwo plane mirrors that are not wholly located in the same plane. When light from a point source or slit reflects from the...
rhomboid prismA reflecting prism that is rhomboidal in shape. It has two parallel transmitting faces, and two parallel reflecting faces;...
phase matchingPhase matching is a crucial concept in the field of optics, particularly in nonlinear optics and the generation of coherent...
plasma physicsThe study of highly ionized gases. Many phenomena not exhibited by uncharged gases are associated with plasma physics.
biocularA term pertaining to devices (generally optical) designed for use with both eyes viewing through a single exit pupil. The...
optical coherence tomography imaging systemOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique used in medical diagnostics and biomedical research to obtain...
polishing jigIn fiber optics, a device used to polish a biconic plug to a specified length and surface finish. Also called a polishing...
Winston coneSpecified curved optic intended for maximum collection of light, including off-axis rays, before leaving the exit aperture.
delta errorThe term delta error (delta-E) generally refers to the difference or change in error between two values or states. The word...
reactive evaporationReactive evaporation refers to a process in thin-film deposition where a material is deposited onto a substrate through...
laser ablationLaser ablation is a process that involves the removal or erosion of material from a target surface using laser energy. This...
metaboliteA metabolite is any small molecule that is a product of metabolism, the chemical processes that occur within living...
grating spectroscopeA spectroscope having a diffraction grating for the resolution of light of various wavelengths.
cold atomCold atoms refer to atoms that have been cooled to extremely low temperatures, typically in the microkelvin (µK) to...
grating monochromatorAn optical instrument used to isolate a narrow bandwidth of optical radiation using a diffraction grating as the dispersive...
common optoelectronics laser detection systemA laser warning and countermeasure system containing a sensor that indicates the direction of a laser beam, and analytical...
retroreflectorA retroreflector is an optical device or structure that reflects incident light or electromagnetic waves back to their...
multi-axis alignmentMulti-axis alignment refers to the process of aligning or adjusting components or systems in multiple spatial dimensions or...
machine vision systemA machine vision system is an integrated combination of hardware and software components designed to capture, process, and...
long-pass filterA long-pass filter is an optical filter that allows longer wavelengths of light to pass through while blocking or...
tangent ogiveIn optics, a shape often given to the leading edge of a projectile. In any side view it appears as a pointed arc, while any...
covalent crystalA crystal formed by covalent bonds that are generally highly directional by nature. The electric characteristics of these...
spectroheliographAn instrument in which an image of the sun is scanned by the entrance slit of a monochromator, the exit slit simultaneously...
microbubble resonatorA microbubble resonator is a device used in photonics and optical physics for the precise manipulation of light waves. It...
camera tubeThe electron beam tube of a television camera that converts an optical image into a pattern of electrostatic charges and...
lensless microscopyLensless microscopy, also known as computational or holographic microscopy, is an imaging technique that captures and...
adapter1. In optics, the housing, usually cylindrical, that contains the lenses and iris diaphragm of a camera. 2. In fiber optics,...
modulation transfer functionAlso called sine wave response and contrast transfer function. The modulation transfer function is the ratio of the...
field stopAn aperture located at an image plane of an optical system that determines the size and shape of the image.
GaAlAs laserA GaAlAs laser is a type of semiconductor laser diode that emits light in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic...
perovskiteThe term perovskite refers to a specific crystal structure commonly found in various materials. Perovskite structures have a...
piezoelectric motion systemsPiezoelectric motion systems are mechanical systems that utilize piezoelectric materials to generate controlled motion or...
absorption peakAn absorption peak refers to a sharp increase or spike in the absorption of electromagnetic radiation at a particular...
rare-earth elementsRare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of seventeen chemical elements found in the Earth's crust, characterized by their...
photodiode detectorA photodiode detector is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It operates based on the...
depth of focusThe range of image distances that corresponds to the range of object distances covered by the depth of field.
frequency combA frequency comb is a precise and regular series of equally spaced spectral lines, or frequencies, that are generated with...
color graphics converterA unit that converts images to the standard NTSC format for use with video recorders, projectors and discs.
aerial surveyThe creation of a planned sequence of data input that is obtained while airborne for use in aerial photogrammetry and other...
chroma1. Attribute of a visual sensation that permits a judgment to be made of the amount of pure chromatic color present. 2. The...
single-photon avalanche diodeA single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is a specialized type of photodetector designed to detect extremely weak optical...
diverging lensA diverging lens is a type of lens that causes parallel rays of light to spread out or diverge. It is thinner in the center...
catadioptric imaging systemA system that uses both reflection and refraction to achieve its focal power. While the relative powers of the lenses and...
rheologyThe characteristics of a material that determine its tendency to flow.
solar simulatorA solar simulator is a device used to replicate the spectrum and intensity of sunlight in a controlled environment for...
motion picture cameraA camera equipped with a lens and a long length of perforated film, the latter being moved intermittently between exposures...
Littrow prismA 30-60-90° spectrograph prism that is coated on the surface opposite the 60° angle with a reflecting film.
double-crucible methodA method of fabricating an optical waveguide by melting the core and clad glasses in two suitably joined concentric...
CubeSatA CubeSat is a type of miniaturized satellite characterized by its standardized size and modular design. CubeSats are...
holographyHolography is a technique used to capture and reconstruct three-dimensional images using the principles of interference and...
radiometerA device used to measure the intensity of radiant energy.
Pechan prismA prism made up of two air-spaced components. It has the ability to revert, and not invert, an image, and can be used in...
light sheet fluorescence microscopyAlso known as single plane illumination microscopy (SPIM), this process was designed for imaging of sensitive samples and...
laser crystalA laser crystal, also known as an active medium or gain medium, is a solid-state material used in the construction of...
field1. In raster scan television, one of the two scans that are interlaced to make up a frame. 2. See field of view.
Fourier transform spectrometerAn instrument using a Michelson interferometer, a beamsplitter, two plane mirrors and a detector to give Fourier analysis of...
CMOS image sensorA CMOS image sensor, short for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor, is a type of semiconductor device used...
optofluidicsOptofluidics is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from optics and fluidics to create devices and systems...
automated optical inspectionAutomated optical inspection (AOI) is a technology used in manufacturing processes, particularly in electronics, to...
diffraction gratingA diffraction grating is an optical component consisting of a surface with a periodic structure of equally spaced, parallel...
Snellen letterThe letter form used on visual performance test charts. The overall letter height is equal to five times the thickness of...
grating beamsplitterA grating beamsplitter is an optical device that utilizes the principles of diffraction to split a beam of light into...
minimum spot sizeThe smallest linear diameter to which a laser or other beam of radiant energy is capable of being focused, depending on the...
charge-coupled deviceA charge-coupled device (CCD) is a type of electronic image sensor used in various imaging devices, including digital...
fiber optic sensorA fiber optic sensor is a device that uses optical fibers to detect and measure physical, chemical, biological, or...
static beam shapingA technique for creating optimal performance in a system by producing a specific beam irradiance distribution, usually...
impurity levelIn the context of optical materials, the term "impurity level" refers to the presence of foreign atoms or molecules within...
Foucault knife-edge testThe Foucault test is performed by moving a knife edge laterally into the image of a small point source. The eye, or a...
freeform mirrorsFreeform mirrors refer to reflective optical components that deviate from traditional symmetric or rotationally symmetric...
autocollimatorAn autocollimator is an optical instrument used for measuring small angular deviations with high precision. It operates on...
photoelasticIn optics, the double refraction that is produced when stress is applied to a transparent material. Plastics, which are...
electrostatically focused image tubeAn image intensifier that uses electrostatics to amplify and focus the electronic image.
harmonic generationHarmonic generation refers to a nonlinear optical process in which incoming photons interact with a material and produce new...
solitonAny isolated wave that propagates without dispersion of energy. Specifically to photonics, an ultrashort pulse of laser...
scintillation1. The variation in intensity of a light beam as it travels through the atmosphere. 2. In radiation physics, a light flash...
interferometerAn instrument that employs the interference of lightwaves to measure the accuracy of optical surfaces; it can measure a...
mode-locked lasersMode-locking is a technique used in lasers to produce ultrashort pulses of light with durations on the order of picoseconds,...
linear receive opticsLinear receive optics typically refers to the optical components and systems used in the reception (detection) of linearly...
collectorA positive lens located at or close to an intermediate image plane. The collector refracts off-axis light bundles, directing...
ion laserA laser in which the transition involved in stimulated emission of radiation takes place between two levels of an ionized...
additive color processA process of color photography in which colors are added one to another in the form of light, rather than as colorants, to...
x-ray opticsThe study of the physics of x-rays, where the x-rays exhibit properties similar to those of lightwaves. Also called Roentgen...
3D printing3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is a manufacturing process that builds three-dimensional objects...
cryogenicsThe science and technology applied to the creation of low temperatures (i.e., approaching absolute zero).
gram negativeGram-negative bacteria are a group of bacteria that possess a cell envelope composed of a thin layer of peptidoglycan...
serpentine bend mode filterA device used in measuring attenuation in optical fiber. The loss caused by the bends in a short reference length of fiber...
beamsplitterA beamsplitter is an optical device for dividing a beam into two or more separate beams. A simple beamsplitter may be a very...
CCD image sensorA CCD image sensor, or charge-coupled device image sensor, is a type of electronic device used to convert optical images...
blue diode laserA blue diode laser is a type of semiconductor laser that emits light in the blue wavelength range of the electromagnetic...
lens elementOne optical element of a multielement lens. See optical element.
laser driftLaser drift typically refers to a phenomenon where the frequency or wavelength of a laser source gradually changes over...
mid-infrared cameraA mid-infrared camera is a type of imaging device designed to capture images in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range,...
rainbow hologramEssentially, a hologram of a hologram, in which the first-generation hologram is masked with a narrow slit. During image...
quantum efficiencyQuantum efficiency (QE) is a measure of the effectiveness with which a device or system, typically in the context of...
field emission displayAn X-Y electrically addressable series of arrays with individual electron emitters bombarding a phosphor-coated transparent...
de Broglie wavelengthThe concept of the de Broglie wavelength exploits the wave-particle duality of quantum physics by associating all matter (of...
stepper motorA positioning drive that rotates a fraction of a 360° turn when the motor coils are activated, resulting in linear or...
Bose-Einstein condensateA Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is a state of matter that forms at temperatures close to absolute zero. It is named after...
detector arrayA detector array refers to a collection of individual detector elements arranged in a two-dimensional grid or matrix format....
optical Fourier transformThe optical Fourier transform is a mathematical operation applied to optical signals that involves transforming a spatial...
error functionA single number, defined by the computer program or the user that expresses the performance of an optical system. Also known...
meteorological optics
Matrix opticsThe linear relationship between input and output optical fields for a given optical system or application that allows the...
krypton lampAn arc lamp that has its cavity filled with krypton to produce a light source with unique characteristics.
APD detectorAn APD detector, or avalanche photodiode detector, is a type of photodetector used to detect light or optical signals by...
optical filterAn optical filter is a device that selectively transmits or blocks specific wavelengths, or colors, of light. Optical...
visually coupled airborne systems simulatorA visual system including a tiny television tube and imaging optics, all contained in a helmet to be worn by pilots in...
Billet's split lensAn experimental lens used to produce interference fringes. A positive lens is cut into halves along its center, and the...
spherical aberrationSpherical aberration is an optical aberration that occurs when light rays passing through a lens or curved optical surface...
eyeThe organ of vision or light sensitivity.
negative dielectric anisotropyState typically studied in liquid crystals in which the dielectric coefficient parallel to the director is less than the...
molded lensA molded lens is an optical lens manufactured using a molding process, typically involving the shaping of a material, such...
optical coherence tomography angiographyAlso known as OCT-A, optical coherence tomography angiography is an imaging technique that uses light waves to measure...
additive manufacturingAdditive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is a manufacturing process that involves creating three-dimensional...
microscope eyepieceAn eyepiece located at the near end of the microscope tube. It often is a simple Huygens eyepiece, but compensating and...
photoelectric exposure meterA device consisting of a microammeter, a photovoltaic cell and a battery. It is used for the measurement of scene brightness...
cameraA light-tight box that receives light from an object or scene and focuses it to form an image on a light-sensitive material...
point spread functionThe point spread function (PSF) is a fundamental concept in imaging that describes the response of an imaging system to a...
Rowland circleThe circle that contains the slit, grating and primary astigmatic focus of a concave diffraction grating.
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assayAn enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a laboratory technique used to detect and measure the presence of specific...
achromatic prismCemented prisms of differing refractive indices which refract incident light and, due to differing refractive indices, will...
excimer laser coronary angioplastyExcimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) refers to a medical procedure used in the treatment of coronary artery disease....
acousto-opticsDiscipline within optical physics that addresses sound vibration, phonon effects and their influencing behavior within...
Brewster's angleFor light incident on a plane boundary between two regions having different refractive indices, the angle of incidence at...
spectral repeatabilitySpectral repeatability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of spectral measurements across multiple trials or...
meniscus lensA lens that has one convex surface and the other concave.
Wadsworth mountingA system used for gratings that consists of a concave mirror, a grating and a plate holder mounted normal to the grating to...
refracting sphereA transparent sphere that has an index of refraction that is different from that of the medium surrounding it; used in...
transpositionIn optics, the changing of the relative curves of a lens without changing its refractive value.
prism binocularsA pair of telescopes with prismatically erected images, mounted side by side with the eyepieces at the interocular distance...
atmospheric opticsThe analysis of the properties of radiation, such as light, when acted upon by variations in the atmosphere. Blue and red...
epitaxialEpitaxial refers to the growth of a crystalline layer on a crystalline substrate in such a way that the orientation of the...
dopingIn the context of materials science and semiconductor physics, doping refers to the intentional introduction of impurities...
laser diode moduleA laser diode module is a compact device that incorporates a laser diode, optics, and often other components into a single...
spectroradiometerA spectroradiometer is a device used to measure the intensity of light at different wavelengths across the electromagnetic...
infrared light-emitting diodeAn infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) is a semiconductor device that emits infrared light when an electric current...
quantum opticsThe area of optics in which quantum theory is used to describe light in discrete units or "quanta" of energy known as...
near-infrared spectrometerA near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer is an analytical instrument used to measure the absorption, transmission, or reflection...
machine vision lightingMachine vision lighting refers to the use of specific lighting techniques and equipment in the field of machine vision,...
slab laserSolid-state laser geometry in which the standard rod is replaced by a slab of laser material. Often called...
optical tableAn optical table, also known as an optical bench or an optical breadboard, is a specialized platform used in optics...
color centerA color center, in the context of materials science and condensed matter physics, refers to a specific type of...
semiconductorA semiconductor is a type of material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. In...
laser spectroscopyThat part of the science involved in the study of the theory and interpretation of spectra that uses the unique...
photonA quantum of electromagnetic energy of a single mode; i.e., a single wavelength, direction and polarization. As a unit of...
electrocapillarity modulatorA type of optical modulator with potential application in optical switching and displays, in which applied voltage causes a...
microfluidicsMicrofluidics is a multidisciplinary field that involves the manipulation and control of very small fluid volumes, typically...
PIN photodiodeA PIN photodiode is a type of photodetector or semiconductor device used to convert light signals into electrical signals....
phototoxicityPhototoxicity refers to the harmful effects caused by exposure to light, particularly intense or ultraviolet (UV) light, on...
liquid crystalLiquid crystals are a state of matter that exhibits properties intermediate between those of conventional liquids and solid...
field of viewThe field of view (FOV) refers to the extent of the observable world or the visible area that can be seen at any given...
resonatorA resonator is a device or system that exhibits resonance, which is a phenomenon that occurs when an external force or...
system on chipAbbreviated SoC. A single chip containing all the electronic circuits required for a complete, working product. SoCs are...
Brillouin scatteringBrillouin scattering is a phenomenon in physics where an incident electromagnetic wave (usually light) interacts with...
dissonanceIn optics, the production of maxima and minima by the superimposition of two sets of interference fringes from light of two...
metamaterialMetamaterials are artificial materials engineered to have properties not found in naturally occurring substances. These...
near-field regionThe area closest to an aperture or source where the diffraction pattern differs substantially from that observed at an...
interference filterA filter that controls the spectral composition of transmitted energy partially by the effects of interference. Frequently,...
chalcogenideChalcogenide refers to a class of compounds containing elements from group 16 of the periodic table, which includes sulfur...
stimulated Brillouin scatteringIn Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), an incident photon (usually laser light) interacts with acoustic phonons in a...
computer graphics metafileA snapshot representation of the final image created by a computer program.
third-order theoryCalculations of lens aberrations whereby the first two terms of the series expansion
are the only ones employed....
germanium crystalGermanium crystal refers to a crystalline form of the element germanium (Ge), which is a metalloid and semiconductor...
latticeIn photonics, a lattice refers to a periodic arrangement of optical elements or structures, often on a microscopic or...
near-infrared spectroscopyNear-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive analytical technique that uses the near-infrared region of the...
vidiconA small television tube originally developed for closed-circuit television. It is about 1 inch in diameter and 5 inches...
sapphire windowA sapphire window refers to a transparent optical component made from sapphire crystal. Sapphire is a single-crystal form of...
brightfieldBrightfield refers to a type of microscopy and imaging technique in which the specimen is illuminated with a white light...
random access multiphoton microscopyAlso known as RAMP microscopy, random access multiphoton microscopy is a microscopic technique that uses multiple...
quantum key distributionQuantum key distribution (QKD) is a method of secure communication that utilizes principles from quantum mechanics to...
Kerr solitonA Kerr soliton refers to a specific type of soliton, a self-reinforcing wave packet, that arises in nonlinear optical...
neutron drip linePrediction based on observations of nuclear masses in the valley of stability that indicates the maximum number of electrons...
geometric opticsA field of physics that deals with light as if it truly were composed of rays diverging in various directions from the...
soft coatingA term describing an antireflection coating that may be applied to optics that cannot tolerate the high temperatures usually...
lab-on-a-chipA lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a miniaturized device that integrates various laboratory functions and capabilities onto a single,...
optoelectronicsOptoelectronics is a branch of electronics that focuses on the study and application of devices and systems that use light...
microscopyMicroscopy is a scientific technique that involves the use of microscopes to observe and study objects that are too small to...
spectral signatureA spectral signature, in the context of remote sensing and spectroscopy, refers to the unique pattern or characteristic...
Cassegrain lens systemA two-mirror lens design used in astronomical telescopes, the primary being a parabola, the secondary a smaller hyperbola....
steradianThe unit solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere by an area on its surface equivalent to the square of the radius;...
total internal reflection fluorescenceTotal internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is an advanced fluorescence microscopy technique that leverages the...
phageA phage, short for bacteriophage, is a type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria. Phages are composed of...
transmissometryThe methods used to determine the extinction characteristics of a medium.
ultrafast pulsed laserAn ultrafast pulsed laser is a type of laser that emits extremely short pulses of light with durations typically on the...
optical camouflageThe use of retroreflective projection technology (RPT) to project a background image onto a masked object, such as a vehicle...
broadband filterA broadband filter is an electronic or electromagnetic device designed to pass a range of frequencies or signals within a...
jig transitAn optical instrument containing a gimballed sighting telescope, used to measure angular relationships in horizontal and...
ospinOpsins are a group of light-sensitive proteins found primarily in the retinas of vertebrate and invertebrate eyes, as well...
arcuate displacementDisplacement in a direction perpendicular to that of the intended displacement, as in a translation stage with simple...
optical time-domain reflectometryA method for characterizing a fiber wherein an optical pulse is transmitted through the fiber, and the resulting light...
infrared light sourceAn infrared light source is a device that emits light in the infrared spectrum, which lies beyond the visible spectrum of...
curvature of fieldA lens aberration that causes a flat object surface to be imaged onto a curved surface rather than a plane.
redshiftThe displacement of spectrum lines, as determined by the increasing distance between, and the relative velocity of, the...
grapheneGraphene is a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal...
Abbe refractometerDevice which measures the index of refraction of glass as well as the dispersion over visible range.
plasmonicsPlasmonics is a field of science and technology that focuses on the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and free...
Verdet constantA factor of an equation of the Faraday effect, which is the rotation of the plane of light polarization by transparent...
medical lasersMedical lasers are devices that produce intense beams of light with specific characteristics and properties, which are used...
Munsell color systemFounded by professor Albert Munsell. In the field of colorimetry, the Munsell color system is a color space that identifies...
helium-neon laserA helium-neon (HeNe) laser is a type of gas laser that emits visible red light at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. It operates...
CMOS cameraA CMOS camera refers to an imaging device that employs a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor to...
astronomical mirrorAn astronomical mirror, also known as a telescope mirror or primary mirror, is a key component of a reflecting telescope. It...
physical opticsThe branch of science that treats light as a wave phenomenon wherein light propagation is studied by wavefronts rather than...
surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopySurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an analytical technique that combines the principles of Raman spectroscopy...
detector-Dewar assemblyA detector-Dewar assembly typically refers to a combination of a detector and a Dewar flask used in scientific instruments,...
retrofocus lensAlso known as reversed telephoto lens. A lens consisting of an ordinary objective with a negative component near its front...
image definition areaIn computer graphics, the coordinated two-dimensional or three-dimensional area of increased resolution where graphics...
divergence1. In optics, the bending of rays away from each other. 2. In lasers, the spreading of a laser beam with increased distance...
electron microscopeA device utilizing an electron beam for the observation and recording of submicroscopic samples with the aid of photographic...
variable-focus condenserAn Abbe condenser in which the upper lens element is fixed. The lower lens may focus the illumination between the elements...
objectThe figure seen through or imaged by an optical system. It may contain structures, natural or artificial, or it may be the...
degrees of freedomThe number of unique ways in which a part can move in an alignment system. In static alignment, there are six: one in the...
stereolithographyA method of creating real three-dimensional models by using lasers driven by CAD software. In contrast to the normal...
linear plasticA term for thermoplastic optical materials; that is, those in which the polymer chains remain linear after heating and...
Nicol prismA prism invented by William Nicol in 1828 that is made of calcite, the end faces of which are ground to an angle of 68°...
three-level laserA laser having a material, such as ruby, that has an energy state structure of three levels: the ground state (1) wherein...
intravital microscopyIntravital microscopy is an imaging technique used to visualize biological processes within living organisms, typically in...
McClatchey modelCalculation of gas and aerosol transmission and emission characteristics for several model atmospheres, including two model...
Lorentz oscillator modelThe Lorentz oscillator model is a theoretical model used in physics to describe the response of a charged particle (such as...
Dammann gratingA Dammann grating is a type of diffractive optical element (DOE) used to create an array of equally spaced,...
point cloudA point cloud is a set of data points in a three-dimensional coordinate system, where each point represents a specific...
Ritchey-Common testAn interferometric method for describing the surface shape of large coated or uncoated optical flats. The procedure uses a...
smectic phaseA form of liquid crystal in which flow does not take place in the usual manner. When examined with polarized light, the...
cold shieldThat part of an infrared detector-Dewar assembly that limits the solid angle viewed by the sensor; it is maintained at a...
fiberless optics
buffer1. In fiber optics, a protective material applied as an optical fiber cover that has no optical function. 2. In image...
mode beatingIn optics, "mode beating" refers to an interference phenomenon that can occur in laser systems with multiple longitudinal...
neuromorphic vision sensorA neuromorphic vision sensor is a type of imaging device designed to mimic the structure and functioning of the human visual...
Z-scanA technique for determining the nonlinear optical properties of a sample material by moving the sample through a focused...
microphotonicsThe technology of manipulating light on a micro scale. In optical communications, this is usually accomplished using two or...
photochromicPhotochromic refers to a property exhibited by certain materials, typically organic compounds or dyes, which undergo...
long-wave infraredLong-wave infrared (LWIR) refers to a specific range of the infrared spectrum. Infrared radiation is divided into three main...
thermophotovoltaicThermophotovoltaic (TPV) refers to a technology that converts heat energy into electricity using the principles of...
high-density storageExtensive data storage in the form of bits, with the use of high-resolution photographic materials and optics, and generally...
panoramic cameraA camera designed to form a continuous record of an expansive section of the horizon. The typical panoramic camera is...
phenotypeIn biology, particularly genetics and evolutionary biology, the phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits...
Callier coefficientThe coefficient termed by Callier as the ratio between the density of photographic negatives measured by parallel light and...
scanningThe successive analysis or synthesizing of the light values or other similar characteristics of the components of a picture...
optical multimeterAn instrument that measures several optical parameters, such as optical power and wavelength, with a single measurement...
confocal resonatorA confocal resonator, also known as a confocal cavity or confocal laser resonator, is a type of optical resonator...
blackbody simulatorA source that attempts to create the characteristics of an ideal blackbody. It consists of a cavity, generally spherical,...
Peltier coolerA Peltier cooler, also known as a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) or thermoelectric module, is a solid-state device that uses...
custom lapping and polishing servicesCustom lapping and polishing services involve specialized processes used to improve the surface finish and dimensional...
Lloyd's mirrorA mirror employed with a very high incidence angle to form a pair of coherent light sources by reflection, and therefore...
anisotropicAnisotropic is a term used to describe a material or substance that exhibits different properties or behaviors in different...
x-ray image spectrographyIrradiation of a cylindrical crystal with an x-ray beam resulting in Bragg diffraction that produces a slightly enlarged...
tangential distortionOptical aberration such that image magnification varies with ray distance from the optical axis in a radial distortion.
stereoscopic rangefinderA rangefinder similar to a pair of binoculars with a long base, a dot or other wander mark provided in each eyepiece field,...
GaN-based LEDsGallium nitride-based light-emitting diodes (GaN-based LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric...
optical time-domain reflectometerAn optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is a specialized instrument used in optical fiber communications to characterize...
indium phosphideIndium phosphide (InP) is a compound semiconductor material composed of indium (In) and phosphorus (P). It belongs to the...
optical parametric oscillatorA laser-pumped crystal with nonlinear optical properties inside of an optical resonator in which the output generates...
fiber opticsThe use of thin flexible glass or plastic fibers as wave guides — or "light pipes" — to channel light from one...
Pockels cellA Pockels cell, also known as an electro-optic modulator, is an optical device used to control the polarization of light by...
polished moldA mold for glass or plastics often made of stainless steel to prevent pitting or oxidation in service. It is polished to the...
quantum cascade laserA quantum cascade laser (QCL) is a type of semiconductor laser that operates based on the principles of quantum mechanics....
event-based sensorAn event-based image sensor, also known as a dynamic vision sensor (DVS), is a type of digital imaging device designed to...
piezoresistancePiezoresistance is a phenomenon in materials science and physics where the electrical resistance of a material changes in...
astigmatismA lens aberration that results in the tangential and sagittal image planes being separated axially.
secondary colorAn aberration that remains after primary color is corrected. Primary color causes the back focus of a lens to vary with...
Laurent polarimeterA Laurent polarimeter is an instrument used in optics for measuring the rotation of plane-polarized light caused by...
accelerometerAn accelerometer is a sensor or transducer that measures the rate of change of velocity of an object, or in simpler terms,...
second-order nonlinear optical propertiesSecond-order nonlinear optical properties refer to a class of phenomena exhibited by certain materials in response to...
dichroic coatingA dichroic coating, also known as a dichroic filter or dichroic mirror, is an optical coating designed to selectively...
emergent rayIn optics, the light ray leaving a medium in contrast to the entering or incident ray.
virtual histologyVirtual histology refers to the use of digital technology and computational methods to simulate or recreate histological...
time-lapse optical coherence tomographyTime-lapse optical coherence tomography (OCT) refers to a medical imaging technique that captures a series of sequential OCT...
electron-beam lithography systemAn electron-beam lithography (EBL) system is a sophisticated nanofabrication tool used in the semiconductor industry and...
scintillation detectorA scintillation detector is a radiation detection device that utilizes scintillation crystals to detect and measure ionizing...
halogen lampA halogen lamp, also known as a tungsten halogen, quartz-halogen, or quartz iodine lamp, is an incandescent lamp that uses a...
histochemical stainingHistochemical staining is a laboratory technique used in biology and medicine to visualize specific chemical components...
x-ray diffractionThe bending of x-rays by the regular layers of molecules in a crystal acting like a very small diffraction grating. The...
ray tracingRay tracing is a rendering technique used in computer graphics to simulate the way light interacts with objects in a scene....
halation1. In a cathode-ray tube, the glow surrounding a bright spot that appears on the fluorescent screen as the result of the...
Gaussian beam opticsThe area of optics that deals with the propagation of Gaussian laser beams in free space, or any general medium - i.e....
phase-modulated sensorA phase-modulated sensor is a type of sensor that uses modulation of the phase of a signal to measure changes in a physical...
relay condenserA form of lens assembly used in a projection system to maximize efficiency and assure uniform illumination of the object...
attenuation-limited powerIn fiber optics, the limitation on performance imposed by the amplitude of a received signal rather than distortion.
spherical gradientIn gradient index optics, a gradient profile in which the refractive index varies symmetrically about a point.
lens blankA lens blank is a piece of optical material in a raw, unfinished state, typically in the form of a disk or block, from which...
color perception test equipmentEquipment for testing an observer's color vision. Some tests require the identification or ordering of colored samples. The...
photonicsThe technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The...
homing guidance systemA system of sensors and related instrumentation that allows a navigable object (usually a missile) to locate its destination...
supercontinuumSupercontinuum refers to a broad spectrum of light that spans a wide range of wavelengths, typically from the visible to the...
sputtering targetA sputtering target is a solid material used in the process of physical vapor deposition (PVD), specifically sputtering....
PockelsIn optics, the Pockels effect refers to the phenomenon where the refractive index of a material changes in response to an...
electrolytic shutterA high-speed shutter, similar to a Kerr cell, that uses the birefringence produced in a liquid during the passage of an...
Planck's (radiation) lawThe formula describing the spectral radiant emittance of a perfect blackbody as a function of its temperature and the...
aerocartographyThe creation of topographical maps and charts from a stereographic record produced through the overlapping of consecutive...
multipletA group of related lines that represent transitions between two spectroscopic terms, each of which may be complex. Also in...
offset prismA prism or prism assembly that serves to displace the instrument's optical axis.
metaverseThe term "metaverse" refers to a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical...
molecular motorA molecular motor refers to a nano-sized device composed of organic molecules or other small-scale components that can...
polymerPolymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units called monomers. These monomers are chemically bonded...
light patternIn optics, a pattern, such as the Buchmann-Meyer pattern, that may be viewed when the record surface is illuminated by a...
equivalent air pathWhen a block of glass (prism, window, filter, etc.) is placed into a converging light bundle, it increases the physical...
organic light-emitting diodeAn organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is a type of light-emitting diode (LED) technology that utilizes organic compounds to...
etalonAn etalon is an optical device that consists of two parallel reflecting surfaces separated by a precise and known distance....
blur circleA blur circle refers to the out-of-focus region in an image captured by an optical system. When an object in a scene is not...
fused quartz and silicaFused quartz and silica are closely related materials, both composed primarily of silicon dioxide (SiO2), but they are...
ring-laser gyroscopeA ring laser gyroscope (RLG) is a type of gyroscope that uses laser light to detect and measure changes in orientation. It...
collective lensA convex or positive lens that serves to collect energy and direct it into subsequent system optics.
GigEGigE, short for gigabit Ethernet, refers to a standard for high-speed Ethernet communication, capable of transmitting data...
telescope lensA telescope lens is a primary optical component of a telescope system that gathers and focuses light to form an image. It is...
red, green, blueRGB stands for red, green, blue, which are the primary colors of light used in additive color mixing. The RGB color model is...
Weissenberg methodThe Weissenberg method, named after the German physicist Karl Weissenberg, is a technique used in x-ray crystallography for...
spheric lensA spheric lens, also known as a spherical lens, is a type of optical lens with at least one surface that is part of a...
polarizationPolarization refers to the orientation of oscillations in a transverse wave, such as light waves, radio waves, or other...
quasi-linear theoryThe first nonlinear theory in plasma physics that details the time and space evolution of plasma wave instability from a...
geometric imageThe position and shape of the image of a point source, as predicted by geometric optics alone. The geometric image is to be...
swept-source laserA swept-source laser, also known as a wavelength-swept laser, is a type of laser that rapidly and continuously changes its...
RuticonA ruticon is an opto-electronic device in which light going through it can be modulated by an electric field.
The...
Gaussian optics1. That branch of optics that illustrates the theory in which q is substituted for sin q in Snell's law. Effective results...
magneto-opticsMagneto-optics refers to the study and manipulation of the interaction between magnetic fields and light (electromagnetic...
Rayleigh rangeIn the region of a Gaussian beam focus by a diffraction-limited lens, it is the axial distance from the point of minimum...
nanotubeA nanotube, also known as a nanotubule or simply a tube-like structure, is a nanoscale cylindrical structure composed of...
image opticsAny form of lens, optical system (camera, telescope, microscope, etc.), or opto-electronics utilized for the purpose of...
mesopic visionVision at intermediate levels of luminance between photopic and scotopic vision, where both retinal cones and retinal rods...
nuclear fusionIn physics, nuclear fusion refers to the process in which two atomic nuclei come together to form a heavier nucleus,...
diffractive opticsOptical elements that use diffraction to control wavefronts. Diffractive optical elements include diffraction gratings,...
lens mountThe metal tube that maintains the optical components of a lens in proper relationship. Some lenses are mounted in metal...
degree of coherenceA quantitative measurement of the coherence of a light source; equal to the visibility (V) of the fringes of a two-beam...
reactorIn chemistry, a device in which a chemical reaction takes place. In electronics, a device that introduces reactance into a...
spectrometerA kind of spectrograph in which some form of detector, other than a photographic film, is used to measure the distribution...
split-image microscopeA mask-alignment microscope used to produce and inspect microcircuits in the electronics industry. It provides flat-field,...
holographic cameraA holographic camera, also known as a holographic imaging system or holographic recorder, is a specialized device used to...
structural colorStructural color refers to coloration in materials that is not caused by pigments or dyes but is instead a result of the...
backscatterBackscatter refers to the phenomenon in which radiation or waves are scattered backward, opposite to the direction of the...
excitonAn exciton is a quasiparticle that represents the bound state of an electron and a hole in a solid-state material, typically...
comparator1. An eyepiece or magnifier with a scale at its image plane. That scale is placed in contact with an object, permitting...
synchrotronA synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses magnetic fields to steer charged particles, typically electrons or...
diffractionAs a wavefront of light passes by an opaque edge or through an opening, secondary weaker wavefronts are generated,...
imageIn optics, an image is the reconstruction of light rays from a source or object when light from that source or object is...
lineamentA mappable surface feature arranged in straight or curved lines that is distinguished from surrounding surfaces and is...
neodymium:YAGLiterally, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet. A cylindrical rod of yttrium-aluminum-garnet doped with neodymium that is the...
opticsOptics is the branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter...
automatic profilingIn fiber optics, the use of a detector to study the range of refractive indices achieved at various wavelengths. This...
automatic optical inspectionA system for automatic industrial process control or measurement, consisting of an optical module for image acquisition, a...
Bohr's frequency relationThe law given by the formula:
that is, the frequency of radiation emitted or absorbed by a system when E2 and E1...
Raman spectroscopyRaman spectroscopy is a technique used in analytical chemistry and physics to study vibrational, rotational, and other...
bubble chamber opticsSpecially designed optics for the observation and photographing of hydrogen in a bubble chamber.
micro-LEDMicro-LED (micro-light-emitting diode) refers to a technology that involves the use of very small light-emitting diodes to...
integrated photonicsIntegrated photonics is a field of study and technology that involves the integration of optical components, such as lasers,...
Dogmar/Aviar lensA general-purpose lens, also known as the Celor lens, used widely in photography and commercial processing; it has the form...
computer numerically controlled grindingComputer numerically controlled (CNC) grinding is a manufacturing process that utilizes computerized controls and precision...
masks for evaporation/depositionIn the context of thin film deposition processes such as evaporation or sputtering, masks are used to selectively deposit...
clear eye distanceIn a visual optical system, the axial distance from the last mechanical surface of the eyepiece to the exit pupil.
Kellner eyepieceAn eyepiece consisting of a planoconvex field lens and a cemented doublet as the eye lens.
emission spectrumAn emission spectrum is a graphical representation or a characteristic pattern of the wavelengths or frequencies of light...
scientific CMOS cameraA scientific CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) camera is a type of digital camera specifically designed for...
magnonA magnon is a quasiparticle representing a quantized spin wave in a magnetic material. In other words, it is a collective...
vertical-cavity laser diodeA type of surface-emitting laser diode that uses dielectric mirrors to produce surface emission. The laser cavity is...
photogrammetryPhotogrammetry is a technique used to obtain accurate three-dimensional measurements of objects and environments through the...
attosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopyAttosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopy (APAP) is an advanced technique in ultrafast spectroscopy that allows...
reflectiveThe term reflective is an adjective that describes the ability of a surface or material to reflect light or other forms of...
digital holographic microscopyDigital holographic microscopy (DHM) is an advanced imaging technique that combines holography and digital image processing...
phase conjugationThe use of a reflective device, which can be fashioned from a variety of materials including gases, solids, dyes, aerosols,...
entrance slitThe entrance slit, also known simply as the slit, is an essential component in optical instruments such as spectrometers and...
nanoimprint lithographyNanoimprint lithography (NIL) is a nanolithography technique used for fabricating nanoscale patterns on a substrate. It is a...
fresnelA unit of frequency equivalent to 1012 cps. Named for Augustin Jean Fresnel, a French physicist known for his work in light...
endoscopeAn endoscope is a medical device used for visualizing and examining the interior of hollow organs, body cavities, or...
Fresnel reflectionFresnel reflection refers to the reflection of light at the interface between two different media with different refractive...
laser-induced fluorescenceLaser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is a spectroscopic technique that involves using a laser to excite molecules or atoms,...
monomerA molecule that has the ability to chemically combine with other molecules to form a polymer, hence being capable of being...
comaA lens aberration, resulting from different magnifications in the various lens zones, that occurs in that part of the image...
gallium nitrideGallium nitride (GaN) is a compound made up of gallium (Ga) and nitrogen (N). It is a wide-bandgap semiconductor material...
custom opticA custom optic refers to an optical component that is designed, manufactured, and tailored to meet specific requirements or...
polygonal mirrorA polygonal mirror, also known as a multifaceted mirror or facet mirror, is a type of optical component used in various...
laser opticsLaser optics refers to a broad category of optical components and systems designed for manipulating and controlling laser...
Wollaston prismA polarizing prism consisting of two calcite prisms cemented such that they deviate the two emerging beams (which are...
minimum object distanceMinimum object distance, often abbreviated as MOD, refers to the closest distance at which a camera lens or optical system...
quantumThe term quantum refers to the fundamental unit or discrete amount of a physical quantity involved in interactions at the...
linear image sensorA linear image sensor is a type of solid-state electronic device used to capture and convert light into electrical signals....
hill cloud lensA fish-eye lens designed to photograph cloud formations over the entire visible sky.
microchannel plateA microchannel plate (MCP) is a specialized electron multiplier device used in various applications such as particle...
fiber optic cable assemblyA fiber optic cable assembly refers to a complete unit consisting of optical fibers, connectors, protective jackets, and...
metalensA metalens, short for "metasurface lens," is a type of optical lens that uses nanostructured materials to manipulate light...
paraxialCharacteristic of optical analyses that are limited to infinitesimally small apertures. Also called first-order or Gaussian...
Mangin mirrorA double-surfaced catadioptric spherical mirror whose spherical first surface consists of a negative meniscus (concave) lens...
two-photon polymerizationTwo-photon polymerization (TPP) is a technique used in additive manufacturing, specifically in the field of 3D printing. It...
recombinase polymerase amplificationRecombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a molecular biology technique used to rapidly amplify specific DNA or RNA...
laser frequency measurementMod Method of obtaining precise temporal mode characteristics.
astronomical telescopeAn astronomical telescope is a type of optical instrument designed to gather and magnify light from distant celestial...
zoom lensAn optical system of variable focal length, the focal plane remaining in a fixed position. This result is achieved by moving...
micro ion millingProcess developed for the production of high-resolution patterns in electro- and magneto-optics. These high-generation...
superior mirageAn image of an object that appears above the object's true position as the result of abnormal refraction of the image rays...
quantum mechanicsThe science of all complex elements of atomic and molecular spectra, and the interaction of radiation and matter.
bandwidthThe range of frequencies over which a particular instrument is designed to function within specified limits. See also fiber...
die bondingDie bonding is a critical process in semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics assembly, where a semiconductor die or...
isolatorIn the context of electronics and optics, an isolator refers to a device that allows the transmission of signals in one...
hard coatingUsually a dielectric coating on glass or plastic optics; a coating that is comparable in hardness to glass itself.
calorimetryCalorimetry is a branch of science that involves the measurement of heat flow in physical or chemical processes. It...
gain-switchingGain-switching is a technique used in lasers to generate short pulses of light by modulating the gain of the laser medium....
near-field scanningA measurement technique used to determine the spatial distribution profile of an electrical or optical quantity of interest...
acousto-optic modulators and deflectorsAn acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is a device that utilizes the interaction between sound waves and light waves to modulate...
acoustical holographyThe optical reconstruction of image information contained in a sound field. First the diffraction pattern, formed by an...
epoxyCommon name for a variety of adhesives used for lens bonding, fiber optic splicing and other photonics applications. The...
laser surgeryLaser surgery refers to a medical procedure in which a laser, or focused beam of light, is used as a precision tool to cut,...
monochromatic lightLight consisting of a single wavelength or a very narrow band of wavelengths.
image jumpIn optics, the term image jump refers to a displacement or shift in the apparent position of an image when a change occurs...
scientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductorScientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (sCMOS) refers to a type of image sensor technology specifically designed...
optical design softwareOptical design software refers to specialized computer programs used by optical engineers, physicists, and designers to...
optogeneticsA discipline that combines optics and genetics to enable the use of light to stimulate and control cells in living tissue,...
achromatic lensA lens consisting of two or more elements, usually of crown and flint glass, that has been corrected for chromatic...
aspheric mirrorAn aspheric mirror is an optical mirror surface that deviates from the shape of a perfect sphere, having a non-spherical...
saturation1. The decrease of the absorption (or gain) coefficient of a medium near some transition frequency when the power of the...
spatially offset Raman spectroscopySpatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) is a technique that extends traditional Raman spectroscopy by incorporating...
laser-mediated gene transferLaser-mediated gene transfer refers to a technique in molecular biology and genetic engineering that utilizes lasers to...
first-order optics
holographic gratingA holographic grating is a type of diffraction grating that is produced using holographic recording techniques. It consists...
diffuserAn optical diffuser is an optical component or material designed to scatter or diffuse light that passes through it. It is...
ultraviolet fiber opticsUltraviolet (UV) fiber optics refers to optical fibers that are designed and optimized for the transmission of ultraviolet...
Polarization ImagingA subsurface imaging technique based upon the polarization of light reflected off an object. The polarization of reflected...
continuous waveContinuous wave (CW) refers to a type of signal or transmission where the signal is constant and does not vary with time. In...
near-field scanning optical microscopeA scanning probe microscope that analyzes the surface of a specimen by recording the intensity of light as it is focused...
wide-angle distortionA common aberration in lenses covering large fields of view; it results in images of objects near the edge of the field...
optical tooling targetSets of paired lines carefully designed to give the most accurate pointing possible for various lengths of sight.
chemical vapor depositionChemical vapor deposition is a process of applying dopants to a glass bait by flame reactions of gaseous compounds. See also...
CID cameraCID, or charge injection device, camera refers to a type of imaging device that utilizes a specific kind of solid-state...
Petzval lensA high-speed, narrow-field lens consisting of two achromats spaced about the aperture stop. Its uses include portrait...
self-phase modulationSelf-phase modulation (SPM) is a nonlinear optical phenomenon that occurs when an intense laser beam passes through a...
polymerase chain reactionThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a widely used molecular biology technique used to amplify a specific segment of DNA...
plastic opticsPlastic optics refers to optical components or systems that are made from transparent plastic materials, as opposed to...
heterostructuresA method used in integrated optics; formed by growing an epitaxial layer of active material, removing it from its base and...
circular variable filterAn optical interference coating, vacuum-deposited on a circular substrate, whose transmission characteristics may be varied...
optical cements and adhesiveOptical cements and adhesives are specialized materials used in the assembly and bonding of optical components in optical...
photon sieveA photon sieve is an optical device used in the field of optics and imaging. It's designed to focus and shape light,...
antireflection coatingAn antireflection coating (AR coating) is a thin film or coating applied to optical surfaces, such as lenses or windows, to...
assist gasA gas, such as oxygen, that improves the speed and efficiency of a laser cutter or welder when applied to the work surface,...
laser triangulationA technique that uses a solid-state laser and a detector to determine an object's relative distance to the system. The laser...
short wavelength infraredShort wavelength infrared (SWIR) refers to the portion of the infrared spectrum that encompasses wavelengths roughly between...
infrared filterA filter exhibiting transparency, absorption or reflectance characteristics specifically for spectral control of wavelengths...
inverse square lawThe law stating that the illuminance (or irradiance) from a point source varies as the inverse square of the distance...
chief rayThe ray that passes through the center of the aperture stop in an optical system. It often is called the principal ray of an...
aperture stopA physical constraint, often a lens retainer, that limits the diameter of the axial light bundle allowed to pass through a...
quantum sensingQuantum sensing refers to a class of sensing technologies that leverage principles from quantum mechanics to enhance the...
normalized frequencyAlso referred to as the V number in fiber optics; the normalized frequency is a dimensionless quantity, denoted by the...
stochastic optical reconstruction microscopyStochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) is a superresolution microscopy technique that enables imaging of...
flying spot microscopeA microscope that uses a flying spot scanner, directed through the eyepiece, as a light source to determine the features of...
spatial resolutionSpatial resolution refers to the level of detail or granularity in an image or a spatial dataset. It is a measure of the...
critical angleThe least angle of incidence at which total internal reflection takes place. The angle of incidence in a denser medium, at...
anisotropyAnisotropy refers to the property of exhibiting different values or characteristics when measured in different directions....
maserAn acronym for microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Predecessor to the laser, the maser or...
micro-ring resonatorA micro-ring resonator is a compact optical device that utilizes the resonant behavior of light within a small ring-shaped...
q-switched operationQ-switched operation, or q-switching, is a technique used in lasers to produce short and intense pulses of light. The term...
law of reversibilityIn physics, the law of reversibility is often associated with the concept of reversibility in thermodynamics. The law...
Gauss lensA telescope objective with excellent spherochromatic correction, consisting of a meniscus crown and a meniscus flint, both...
laser lithotripsyLaser lithotripsy is a medical procedure that uses laser energy to break down or fragment stones in various parts of the...
computer graphics workstationThe physical area containing an assembly of computer graphics equipment for presenting generated images and allowing...
monochromatorA monochromator is an optical instrument used to isolate and select a narrow range of wavelengths from a broader spectrum of...
spectroscopySpectroscopy is a technique used in the study of interactions between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It involves...
angle of refractionThe angle formed between a refracted ray and the normal to the surface. This angle lies in a common plane with the angle of...
laser damage thresholdThe laser damage threshold refers to the maximum level of laser intensity that a material can withstand without experiencing...
ion-beam sputteringIon-beam sputtering (IBS) is a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique used for depositing thin films onto substrates. It...
fiber optic spectrometerA fiber optic spectrometer is a device used for measuring the spectral content of light. It utilizes optical fibers to...
unmanned aerial vehicleAn unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot onboard. UAVs are remotely...
infrared opticInfrared optics refer to optical components and systems designed to manipulate and control infrared (IR) light, which lies...
fluoride glassOptical glass containing zirconium fluoride that results in special characteristics such as improved transmission.
ultrasonicUltrasonic refers to sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing, typically above...
vertical external cavity surface-emitting laserA laser that has a surface-emitting semiconductor gain element coupled to an external mirror designed to complete the laser...
machine vision lensA machine vision lens is a specialized optical lens designed for use in machine vision systems, which are used for automated...
phase-contrast microscopeA microscope that has an annular stop in the lower focal plane of the condenser, and a quarter-wave retarding and absorbing...
fiber optic preformA fiber optic preform is a cylindrical glass rod or tube used as the starting material for manufacturing optical fibers. It...
modified chemical vapor depositionModified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) is a technique used in the fabrication of optical fibers. It is a specialized form...
excimer laserAn excimer laser is a type of ultraviolet laser that emits short pulses of light in the ultraviolet spectrum. The term...
topological photonicsTopological photonics is a branch of physics and optics that explores the application of topological concepts to the...
double-clad fiberDouble-clad fiber (DCF) is a specialized optical fiber that features two concentric cladding layers surrounding a core. The...
nonlinear optical materialsNonlinear optical materials are substances that exhibit optical properties that are not linearly proportional to the...
fiber-coupled LEDA fiber-coupled LED (light-emitting diode) refers to an LED device that is optically coupled to an optical fiber for the...
mandrelA shaft, spindle or any object generally passed through a workpiece to hold, support or shape a particular piece during its...
thermal interface materialsThermal interface materials (TIMs) are substances or compounds used to enhance the thermal conductivity between two surfaces...
nonlinear opticsNonlinear optics is a branch of optics that studies the optical phenomena that occur when intense light interacts with a...
laser markingLaser marking is a process in which a laser beam is used to mark or engrave a surface by altering its properties or...
angular spectrum approachThe angular spectrum approach is a mathematical and computational technique used in the field of optics to analyze and...
optical design and engineering servicesOptical design and engineering services involve the development, customization, and optimization of optical systems and...
concaveConcave is an adjective used to describe a surface or shape that curves inward or has a hollow or recessed appearance. In...
intensified vidiconA standard direct-readout vidicon tube linked by fiber optics to an intensifier for increased sensitivity.
kinematic mountA mount for an optic element or optics assembly, designed so that all six degrees of freedom are singly constrained. This...
fiber optic transceiverA fiber optic transceiver, often simply referred to as an "optical transceiver," is a device used in fiber optic...
holographic tomographyHolographic tomography is an advanced imaging technique that combines holography and tomography to provide three-dimensional...
convexConvex is an adjective used to describe a surface or shape that curves outward, bulges, or has a rounded and outwardly...
laser speckleSparkling granular pattern that is observed when an object diffusely reflects coincident laser light. Speckle appears as an...
back focal lengthThe distance from the final optic within a system to the rear image point of the system. See focal length.
principal planeIn a lens or lens system, that surface at which the projections of an entering and exiting ray intersect. Also known as the...
wave opticsAlso referred to as physical optics - the area of optics in which the wave nature of light is essential when defining its...
fluenceFluence is a term used in various scientific and technical disciplines to describe the amount of something per unit area....
iris diaphragmA mechanical device designed to smoothly vary the effective diameter of a lens, thereby controlling the amount of light...
injection moldingA method of producing high-quality plastic optics in large volumes by injecting the heated, liquified plastic at high...
frame rateFrame rate refers to the frequency at which consecutive images, or frames, are displayed in a video sequence. It is...
dioptricsThe branch of optics that deals with the study of the refraction of light, particularly by the transmitting medium of the...
disc colorimeterA colorimeter using a spinning disc made of different colored sections for colorimetric analysis.
light fieldThe term light field refers to the spatial distribution of light rays traveling in all directions through a given space. It...
optical profilerAlso known as a white-light interferometer. Measures surface texture and shape from nanometer-scale roughness to...
optical combinerAn optical combiner, in the context of optics and display technologies, refers to a device or component that combines...
luminescenceLuminescence is the emission of light that occurs without the involved substance undergoing a significant increase in...
nodal pointsOf all the rays passing through a lens from an off-axis object point to its corresponding image point, there is always one...
tripletA lens assembly made up of three lens elements that may or may not be cemented.
Kerr cellA cell filled with a transparent material that, when placed in a strong electrical field, exhibits double refraction. Since...
swept source optical coherence tomographySwept-source optical coherence tomography is an imaging technique used in medical diagnostics, particularly in...
sapphire optical fiberSapphire optical fiber is a type of optical fiber made from single-crystal sapphire, which is a form of aluminum oxide...
MEMS fiber optic switchA MEMS fiber optic switch is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device designed to selectively route optical signals...
powder cameraA camera system that uses a fine powder to diffract x-rays from the specimen. A beam of monochromatic x-rays passes through...
pyramid errorPyramid error in optics refers to an aberration in the shape of an optical surface, particularly in the context of mirrors....
lock-in amplifierA lock-in amplifier is a specialized electronic instrument used to extract and measure small signals embedded in noise or...
electron opticsThe control of free electron movement through the use of electrical or magnetic fields, and use of this electron movement in...
retroreflectionRetroreflection is a phenomenon in optics where light is reflected back toward its source, typically in a direction nearly...
Bragg's lawThe law expressing the condition under which a crystal will reflect a beam of x-rays with the greatest amount of distinction...
covered grooveA technique used in integrated optics where a groove is cut on a substrate surface and covered by a thin film to facilitate...
alexandrite lasersAn alexandrite laser is a solid-state laser that utilizes a synthetic crystal made from the rare earth element alexandrite...
magnetorheological finishingMagnetorheological finishing (MRF) is a precision optics polishing technique used for shaping and finishing optical surfaces...
digital twinA digital twin refers to a virtual representation or digital counterpart of a physical object, system, or process. This...
Amici prismAlso known as roof prism. A type of prism designed by G.B. Amici. It consists of a roof edge produced upon the long...
photochemicalThe term photochemical pertains to chemical processes or reactions that are initiated or influenced by the absorption of...
CCD cameraA CCD camera, or charge-coupled device camera, is a type of digital camera that utilizes a CCD image sensor to capture and...
atomic scattering factorThe efficiency of scattering by an atom in a particular direction, expressed as: where AA is the amplitude of the wave from...
optical analysisThe mathematical evaluation of an optical system to determine and quantify its basic optical properties and image quality...
adaptive opticsAdaptive optics (AO) is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effects of...
near-infrared cameraA near-infrared (NIR) camera is an imaging device designed to capture images in the near-infrared region of the...
light-emitting diodeAn LED, or light emitting diode, is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs...
massive opticsOptical components exceeding 24 in. in diameter. The components are usually glass, acrylic or polystyrene and are used for...
beam optics
reflective spectroscopyReflectance spectroscopy is a technique used to analyze the reflective properties of materials across various wavelengths of...
bandwidth-limited operationIn fiber optics, the limitation on performance imposed by the system bandwidth rather than the amplitude of the signal.
digital signal processingDigital signal processing (DSP) refers to the manipulation and analysis of signals, which are representations of physical...
virtual realityVirtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment or experience that can be...
linear opticsLinear optics refers to the study and manipulation of light in a linear and deterministic manner, where the response of...
augmented realityAugmented reality (AR) is a technology that integrates digital information, typically in the form of computer-generated...
thermal-infrared cameraA thermal-infrared camera, often referred to simply as a thermal camera, is a type of imaging device that detects infrared...
momentum transferIn physics, momentum transfer is the amount of momentum transferred from one particle to another during particle collision...
intrinsic detectorA photodetector composed of a photoconductive material that, when exposed to radiation, conducts without the aid of added...
equatorial mountA telescope stand equipped with a polar axis that can be set parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation and a declination axis...
beam tableLaser light show effects equipment including optics and mechanical devices that reflect, position or distort the laser beam,...
fiber optic imaging bundleA fiber optic imaging bundle is a specialized optical device composed of multiple optical fibers bundled together. Each...
Haidinger fringesAlso known as constant angle or constant deviation fringes. The interference fringes observed with dense flat plates near...
optical noiseOptical noise refers to undesirable fluctuations or disturbances in an optical signal that can affect the quality or...
electric-discharge lampA lamp that uses the transmission of an electric current through a gas or vapor to produce illumination. Neon, mercury and...
fluorescence lifetimeFluorescence lifetime refers to the average time it takes for a fluorophore, a molecule that absorbs light at one wavelength...
laser penDevice consisting of a laser diode, beam-correcting optics and collimating optics in a single housing. Also called a...
strainIn optics, the mechanical tension, compression or shear in optical glass due to internal stress caused by improper cooling...
vignettingIn an optical system, the gradual reduction of image illuminance as the off-axis angle increases, resulting from limitations...
insertion lossThe total optical power loss caused by the insertion of an optical component such as a connector, splice or coupler into a...
plasma acceleratorA plasma accelerator is a type of particle accelerator that uses electric fields and magnetic fields to accelerate charged...
2D profile sensorA 2D profile sensor is a type of sensor used in various industrial and technological applications to measure and capture...
irisThe adjustable membrane located just in front of the crystalline lens within the eye. The iris gives the eye its color. See...
bimorphA type of piezoelectric translator that uses two thin strips of piezoelectric material, one expanding while the other...
Paschen seriesAn array of lines in the infrared region of the emission spectrum of atomic hydrogen. Their wave numbers are expressed by...
convergence1. In optics, the bending of light rays toward each other, as by a convex or positive lens. 2. Turning in the eyes to view a...
quantum wellA quantum well is a structure in quantum mechanics that confines particles, such as electrons or holes, in one spatial...
biplanar image tubeAlso called proximity focus image intensifier. A compact image intensifier that utilizes a microchannel plate...
standing waveThe combination of two waves having the same frequency and amplitude and traveling in opposite directions. Standing waves...
stereoscopeA small instrument containing a picture support and a pair of magnifying lenses so arranged that the left eye sees only the...
aptamerAn aptamer is a short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecule that can bind to a specific target molecule with high affinity...
CoaXPressCoaXPress (CoaXPress or CXP) is a standardized digital interface and communication protocol used primarily in machine vision...
electromagnonAn electromagnon is a quasiparticle excitation that combines aspects of both magnetism and electric polarization in a...
Risley prismA Risley prism, also known as a Risley prism pair or Risley rotating prism, is an optical device used for controlling the...
tissue opticsThe study of the optical properties of living tissue. Increased understanding of the behavior of light in this varied,...
MSM photodiodeA metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiode is a type of photodetector that consists of metal electrodes on a semiconductor...
hyperspectral resolutionHyperspectral resolution refers to the level of detail or granularity in the spectral information captured by a...
functional materialFunctional materials refer to materials that possess specific properties or functionalities that make them suitable for...
high-performance parallel interfaceA very high bandwidth communication line often used in fiber optics.
thermographThe instrument used to collect thermal radiation information on an object by scanning. It consists basically of a detector,...
beam profilingBeam profiling is a technique used to characterize and analyze the spatial intensity distribution of a laser beam. It...
broadband dielectric mirrorsBroadband dielectric mirrors, also known as broadband mirrors, are optical coatings designed to efficiently reflect or...
radiation pyrometerAlso known as radiation thermometer. A pyrometer in which the radiant intensity from the source to be measured is used to...
magnetometerA magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and/or direction of a magnetic field. It can detect...
quantum dotsA quantum dot is a nanoscale semiconductor structure, typically composed of materials like cadmium selenide or indium...
image intensifierAn image intensifier, also known as an image intensification tube or image intensification device, is a specialized...
mixed-signal oscilloscopeA mixed-signal oscilloscope (MSO) is a type of electronic test instrument that combines the capabilities of both a...
Photoelastic equipment and suppliesPhotoelastic equipment and supplies refer to instruments and materials used in photoelasticity, a technique used to analyze...
telecentric lensThere are three types of telecentric lenses:
-Image-space telecentric lenses are those in which the aperture stop is...
Newtonian telescopeA telescope with a concave paraboloidal objective mirror and a small plane (diagonal) mirror that reflects rays from the...
lambertian source planeIn optics, a plane that emits a flux proportional to the cosine of the angle of the normal; dense opal glass is an example.
bellowsIn optics, a collapsible structure situated between the lens and film of a camera to allow variation of the distance between...
single-molecule spectroscopyAn advanced technique that allows the detection of one molecule within a crystal or a cell through optical excitation....
lateral colorLens aberration resulting in image size variation as a function of wavelength. See also chromatic aberration.
remote sensingRemote sensing is a method of data collection and observation where information about objects, areas, or phenomena on...
YAG crystalA YAG crystal refers to a solid-state crystal made of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), which is a synthetic crystalline...
mode filterA device used in measuring the attenuation of multimode optical fibers. A short reference length of fiber when combined with...
dichroismDichroism refers to the property of certain materials to exhibit different colors or absorbance of light depending on the...
micro-optic gyroscopeA thin-film device that integrates optics and electronics on a single chip to provide a passive-ring resonator gyroscope...
quantitative phase imagingQuantitative phase imaging (QPI) is an advanced imaging technique used in microscopy to measure and analyze the optical...
phase maskIn optics and photolithography, a phase mask refers to a device that modifies the phase of light waves passing through it....
Senarmont prismA polarizing beamsplitting prism similar in design to the Rochon prism. However, the Senarmont transmits the extraordinary...
t numberThe equivalent f number of a fictitious lens that has a circular opening and 100 percent transmittance, which would give the...
lay lengthIn a fiber optic cable, the longitudinal length required for the transmission media, wrapped around a central member, to...
toric lensA lens having one or more toric surfaces. A toric surface is one having a maximum power in one meridian and a minimum power...
surface-enhanced Raman scatteringSurface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique that enhances the Raman scattering signal of...
causticA surface that envelops a bundle of rays or bundle of normals to the wave surface. It may be observed as a hollow, luminous...
logic diagramA diagram that uses special symbols called logic symbols to represent the detailed functioning of electronic logic circuits....
optical fiber optic switchesOptical fiber optic switches are devices used in optical fiber communication systems to selectively route optical signals...
phaseIn optics and photonics, "phase" refers to a property of electromagnetic waves, such as light, that describes the position...
octaveIn optics, an octave typically refers to a range of frequencies or wavelengths that spans a factor of 2. In other words,...
nanoAn SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other...
matrix optics
liquid crystal light valveA liquid crystal light valve (LCLV), also known as a spatial light modulator (SLM), is an optical device that modulates the...
diffuse reflectance spectroscopyDiffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a nondestructive analytical technique used to investigate the optical properties...
oriented crystalA crystal having the axes of its grains aligned so that they have directional magnetic characteristics.
computer graphicsComputer output in the form of pictorial representation (graphs, charts, drawings, etc.) that is displayed visually.
fullerenesMolecules composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid or tube. Also called buckyballs....
wide-angle lensA wide-angle lens is a type of camera lens that has a shorter focal length than a standard or normal lens, allowing it to...
concave gratingA reflecting grating ruled on a concave spherical surface that not only disperses the light but focuses the spectrum. The...
epitaxial equipmentEpitaxial equipment refers to a set of specialized tools and systems used in the process of epitaxy, which is the growth of...
modulationIn general, changes in one oscillation signal caused by another, such as amplitude or frequency modulation in radio which...
attosecond photonics sourcesAttosecond photonics sources refer to devices or systems that generate extremely short pulses of light on the order of...
metasurfacesMetasurfaces are two-dimensional arrays of subwavelength-scale artificial structures, often referred to as meta-atoms or...
high-speed movie cameraA camera designed to record at rates exceeding 50 fps. For frame rates up to about 500 fps, an ordinary pull-down mechanism...
gyroscopeA gyroscope is a mechanical device consisting of a spinning disk or wheel mounted on a spinning axis in such a way that its...
lithographyLithography is a key process used in microfabrication and semiconductor manufacturing to create intricate patterns on the...
Cornu double prismA compound prism formed by cementing together two 30° prisms, one of right-handed and one of left-handed quartz. It has...
beam positionIn computer graphics, the point on the display screen where the electron beam is located before the display instruction is...
equivalent wavelengthIn surface height measurement of optics with steep slopes, the use of two short visible wavelengths to synthesize a longer,...
fluorescence decay systemA device, also called a fluorescence lifetime instrument, that measures decay curves of fluorescing samples. It generally...
label-freeLabel-free refers to a technique or method that does not require the use of additional labels, tags, or markers to detect or...
optical testing instrumentAn optical testing instrument is a device or system used to evaluate and measure the performance, quality, and...
infrared cameraAn infrared camera, also known as a thermal imaging camera or IR camera, is a device that captures and visualizes the...
Lissajous patternThe pattern, formed by a character generation cathode-ray tube system, in which the characters are made up of wave shapes...
connectorHardware installed on fiber cable ends to provide cable attachment to a transmitter, receiver or other cable. Usually a...
bandgapIn semiconductor physics, the term bandgap refers to the energy range in a material where no electronic states are allowed....
Airy discThe central peak (including everything interior to the first zero or dark ring) of the focal diffraction pattern of a...
pulse spreadingVariations in a signal passing through an optical fiber caused by the effect on the pulse of the fiber's material and mode...
Malus's lawA law that uses the square of the cosine between the plane of polarization of a beam of plane-polarized light and the plane...
optical gateAn optical gate typically refers to a device or system that controls the transmission of light, allowing it to pass through...
tolerance fieldIn fiber optics, the annular region between two concentric circles; used to specify fiber cladding and core sizes.
pyroelectric infrared detectorUnlike the thermocouple or bolometer, the pyroelectric infrared detector is a current source with an output proportional to...
positioningPositioning generally refers to the determination or identification of the location or placement of an object, person, or...
laser tubeThe device, usually made of glass or a similar material, that contains the resonant cavity and optics of a gas laser.
surface reflectionAlso known as Fresnel reflection. That portion of the incident radiation that is reflected from the surface of a refractive...
anthropomorphicHaving human characteristics or behavior.
Dove prismA form of prism invented by H.W. Dove. It resembles half of a common right-angle prism in which a ray entering parallel to...
data busA system incorporated into fiber optic data communications characterized by several spatially distributed terminals that are...
lateral shearing interferometerA lateral shearing interferometer is an optical device used in interferometry to measure phase differences between two beams...
absorbanceThe natural log of the ratio of absorbed intensity over the total intensity which gives a constant value assuming a stable...
trichromacyThe basis of color vision in the human eye. Three types of cones have been identified, each having a unique spectral...
liquid crystal on siliconLiquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) is a display technology that combines liquid crystal materials with silicon-based...
optical axisThe imaginary line passing through both the centers of curvatures of the optical surfaces of a lens or mirror; the optical...
acceptance angleThe range of angle or solid angle values by which light may enter an optical system.
structured illumination microscopyStructured illumination microscopy (SIM) is an advanced optical imaging technique used in microscopy to enhance the...
direct-vision prismAn assembly of multiple prisms that disperses incident light into its spectral components without deviating light at the...
telephoto lensA compound lens so constructed that its overall length is equal to or less than its effective focal length.
light diffusionLight diffusion refers to the process by which light is scattered or spread out in various directions as it interacts with a...
fluorescent proteinFluorescent proteins are proteins that exhibit the property of fluorescence, which is the ability to absorb light at a...
Fresnel lensA Fresnel lens is a type of optical lens that consists of a series of concentric grooves or steps carved into a flat, thin...
ferroelectric materialsFerroelectric materials are a type of dielectric materials that exhibit spontaneous electric polarization, meaning they...
frequency domainThe frequency domain is a concept used in signal processing and analysis to represent signals and data in terms of their...
infrared detectorAn infrared detector is a device that is used to detect and measure infrared radiation, which lies beyond the visible...
concave and convex spherical mirrorConcave and convex spherical mirrors are types of curved mirrors that have surfaces shaped like segments of spheres. These...
chemical vapor deposition equipmentChemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment refers to a class of specialized apparatus used in the process of chemical vapor...
double refractionThe separation of unpolarized light into two plane-polarized elements by a doubly refracting crystal. When a crystal, such...
optical glassOptical glass refers to a type of glass specifically engineered and manufactured for use in optical components and systems,...
low-temperature spectroscopyThe analysis of structural and molecular dynamics caused by low temperature.
image enhancement laserA semiconductor platelet laser that emits a coherent image by means of plane optical pumping over the platelet surface, and...
meta-opticsMeta-optics, also known as metasurface optics or flat optics, is a branch of optics that involves the design, fabrication,...
gradient-index profileThe term gradient-index profile refers to a specific type of refractive index distribution within an optical material. In...
critical illuminationIllumination in which the light source is imaged at the object.
silicon photodiodeA silicon photodiode is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It is a type of photodetector...
cladding glassIn fiber optics, the glass that is found around the glass core of the fiber, and that has a lower refractive index than the...
GRIN lensA GRIN (gradient index) lens is a type of optical lens that utilizes a gradient in refractive index across its volume rather...
solid opticsOptical elements arranged with no spaces between, so that the light travels only through glass, not air.
cathode couplingIn electronics, the coupling of power from stage to stage by the use of an input or output element in the cathode.
vibrational transitionA vibrational transition refers to a change in the vibrational energy of a molecule. Molecules consist of atoms that are...
phase distrortionPhase distortion refers to a change in the phase relationships between different frequency components of a signal. In the...
free-space opticsFree-space optics (FSO), also known as optical wireless communication or optical wireless networking, refers to the...
short-arc lampA compact high-pressure light source in which an electrical discharge between electrodes spaced no more than 12 mm apart...
phototheranosticsPhototheranostics, a portmanteau of "photo" (light), "therapy," and "diagnostics," refers to an emerging field that combines...
infrared lensAn infrared lens is an optical component specifically designed and optimized for transmitting, focusing, or manipulating...
multispectral imagingMultispectral imaging is a technique that involves capturing and analyzing images at multiple discrete spectral bands within...
resolution1. In optics, the ability of a lens system to reproduce the points, lines and surfaces in an object as separate entities in...
bionicsThe application of observed operational processes of sophisticated living organisms to mechanical and electrical systems in...
integration timeIntegration time, in the context of optics, imaging systems, and sensor technology, refers to the duration over which a...
network interface cardA network interface card (NIC), also known as a network adapter or LAN adapter, is a hardware component that allows...
astronomical spectroscopyThe process of using a spectrograph with a telescope to acquire information on an astronomical object's speed and physical...
thyratronAn arc discharge tube having a grid that is used to start the discharge through an atmosphere of inert gas or vapor at low...
evanescent field theoryA high-frequency approach to the propagation of light in graded-index fibers in which the modal field is represented in...
Geometrical opticsThe area of optics in which the propagation of light is described by geometrical lines (or rays) governed by Fermat's...
computer visionComputer vision enables computers to interpret and make decisions based on visual data, such as images and videos. It...
distortionA general term referring to the situation in which an image is not a true-to-scale reproduction of an object. The term also...
free-space optical interconnectA type of internal photonic connection in an integrated circuit in which a holographic grating is used to focus light at...
mirror blankA mirror blank refers to the initial piece of material from which a mirror is made. It is typically a flat or slightly...
thin-film deposition equipmentThin-film deposition equipment refers to machinery and tools used in the process of depositing thin layers of material onto...
bit mappingIn computer graphics, the assignment of each pixel on a display screen to its own switch in the computer memory.
Nd:YAG laserNd:YAG laser refers to a solid-state laser that utilizes neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:Y3Al5O12) as the gain...
Petzval surfaceA paraboloidal surface on which the image is located when there is no astigmatism.
fanA set of rays through a lens originating at a common point and contained in one plane.
infrared spectrophotometerA spectrophotometer having a prism or, more frequently, a grating for the study and recording of infrared spectra. It...
cathode-ray tubeA vacuum tube with an electron gun at one end and a fluorescent screen at the other. Electrons emitted from a heated...
idiochromaticPertaining to the possession of photoelectric characteristics as a result of the properties of the true crystal and not of...
Fresnel rhombA type of quarter-wave retarder in the form of a glass rhomb; light entering the retarder undergoes two total internal...
cold mirrorA mirror whose coating serves to reflect visible radiation while transmitting the infrared.
quantum entanglementQuantum entanglement is a phenomenon in quantum mechanics where two or more particles become correlated to such an extent...
transmission electron microscopeA transmission electron microscope (TEM) is a powerful microscopy technique that uses a beam of electrons to create...
double-Gauss lensA fast, wide-angle lens used in television and photographic cameras, with excellent overall correction, but subject to...
spatial light modulatorA spatial light modulator (SLM) is an optical device that modulates or manipulates the amplitude, phase, or polarization of...
dipole polarizationElectric polarization characterized by homogeneous polar dielectrics and ascribed to the position of the permanent molecular...
transmissionIn optics, the conduction of radiant energy through a medium. Often denotes the percentage of energy passing through an...
dust extinctionIn atmospheric optics, the almost total blocking of light transmission in the atmosphere due to the scattering and...
vitreousHaving the characteristics of glass.
photonic integrated circuitA photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is a compact and integrated device that incorporates multiple photonic components and...
single-molecule FRETSingle-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a specialized technique in biophysics and molecular...
thermodynamicsExamination of the processes whereby heat energy is converted into other forms of energy.
vacuum apparatusEquipment dependent on the effects of a vacuum. The principal applications in optics are in the coating of lenses and...
dispersionDispersion refers to the phenomenon where different wavelengths (colors) of light travel at different speeds when passing...
biometricsBiometrics refers to the automated recognition of individuals based on their physiological or behavioral characteristics....
embedded visionEmbedded vision refers to the integration of computer vision technologies into various embedded systems, devices, or...
colorimeterA colorimeter is a device used to measure and quantify the color characteristics of an object or a light source. It provides...
Arrhenius plotThe plot that expresses a reaction rate vs. the reciprocal of absolute temperature. Often used to describe the thermal...
cutoff wavelength1. In detector technology, the long wavelength at which detector response falls to a set percentage (usually 20 or 50...
micro-opticsMicro-optics refers to the design, fabrication, and application of optical components and systems at a microscale level....
brightness resolutionThe degree to which a pixel in a digital image represents the analog brightness of the corresponding point in the original...
mesoscopeIn the field of optics and imaging, a mesoscope refers to an optical instrument that is designed to observe and capture...
in vivoIn vivo is a Latin term that translates to "within the living." In scientific contexts, particularly in biology and...
optical encoderA device designed to measure linear or rotary motion by detection of the movement of markings on a transparent medium past a...
integrating sphereA hollow sphere coated internally with a white diffusing material and provided with openings for incident beam, specimen and...
diamond turningDiamond turning, also known as diamond machining or diamond cutting, is a precision machining process used to produce...
axial gradientIn gradient index optics, a gradient profile in which the refractive index varies along the direction of light propagation,...
photometryPhotometry is the branch of science that deals with the measurement of light, particularly in terms of its intensity and the...
photodiodeA two-electrode, radiation-sensitive junction formed in a semiconductor material in which the reverse current varies with...
electrodynamicsThe study of the generation of electromagnetic power by radiation from high-energy beams.
Rayleigh criterion of resolving powerWhen a lens system with a circular aperture is free of aberrations, the image of a point object will appear as a disc of...
electron-gun systemAn electron-gun system is an assembly used to generate and control a focused beam of electrons. Electron guns find...
gram positiveGram-positive bacteria are a group of bacteria that have a thick cell wall composed primarily of a substance called...
refractive index contrastA measure of the relative difference in refractive index between two optical materials. Most commonly used in fiber optics...
integrated opticsA thin-film device containing miniature optical components connected via optical waveguides on a transparent dielectric...
laserA laser, which stands for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation," is a device that produces coherent and...
space-division multiplexIn fiber optics, the condition in which each fiber of a bundle carries a separate channel.
nanophotonicsNanophotonics is a branch of science and technology that explores the behavior of light on the nanometer scale, typically at...
flow cytometryFlow cytometry is a powerful technique used in biology and medicine for the quantitative analysis of the physical and...
population inversionThe condition in which there are more atomic systems in the upper of two energy levels than in the lower, so stimulated...
Kerr effectThe Kerr effect, named after the physicist John Kerr who first observed it in 1875, is a nonlinear optical phenomenon where...
magnetic resonance imagingAn imaging technique used in radiology that is based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to produce...
laser pointerHandheld optical laser device containing a semiconductor or DPSS source. The output is corrected via internal collimating...
cut planeIn computer graphics, intersection of a plane with a three-dimensional object to create a sectional view.
oscilloscopeA system in which a supplied signal causes the deflection of the electron beam in a cathode-ray tube, thus forming a visible...
optical clockAn optical clock is a highly precise and advanced timekeeping device that relies on the oscillations of electromagnetic...
laser guide starAn artificial star used to aid in adaptive optics imaging of the sky. The guide star is provided from a telescope system on...
laser texturingLaser texturing is a manufacturing process that involves using a laser beam to selectively modify the surface of a material,...
penta prismA five-sided prism containing two reflecting surfaces at 45° to each other, and two refracting faces perpendicular to...
remote inspectionRemote inspection refers to the process of inspecting, evaluating, or monitoring assets, equipment, infrastructure, or...
fiber laserA fiber laser is a type of laser in which the active gain medium is an optical fiber doped with rare-earth ions such as...
half bandwidthThe term half bandwidth (HBW) generally refers to the width of a spectral band or frequency range at half of its maximum...
radial gradientIn gradient index optics, a gradient profile in which the index varies in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis....
optical ceramicsTransparent glassy and or crystalline structured materials engineered from inorganic, non-metallic materials via various...
flying spot scannerA device used to scan, with a small, intensely bright spot, portions of a picture surface and to transform the original...
atomic force microscopeAn atomic force microscope (AFM) is a high-resolution imaging and measurement instrument used in nanotechnology, materials...
electronA charged elementary particle of an atom; the term is most commonly used in reference to the negatively charged particle...
active-matrixAn OLED display that has an integrated electronic backplane as its substrate. Active-matrix OLED displays use at least two...
high-speed motion cameraA high-speed motion camera, also known as a high-speed camera or slow-motion camera, is a specialized imaging device...
keystone distortionA type of geometrical distortion that brings about a trapezoidal display of a nominally rectangular picture. Usually...
digital cameraA digital camera is a device that captures and records still images or video in digital format. Unlike traditional film...
Casimir forceThe Casimir force is a quantum phenomenon that results in an attractive force between two closely spaced uncharged...
aspheric lensAn aspheric lens is a type of lens whose surface profiles deviate from the traditional spherical shape. Unlike spherical...
Monte Carlo simulationSimulation of radiative transfer in which each photon is generated by a source and its path through the medium is...
whole slide imagingWhole slide imaging (WSI), also known as virtual slide microscopy or digital pathology, is a technology that involves the...
Abbe prismA form of roof prism used to invert an image. The prism has faces cut normal to the optical axis; therefore, the prism may...
FTIR spectrometerFTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectrometer is a powerful analytical instrument used to obtain an infrared spectrum of...
design and engineering consulting servicesDesign and engineering consulting services refer to professional services provided by specialized firms or individuals to...
optical manufacturing tools and machineryOptical manufacturing tools and machinery encompass a wide range of equipment, instruments, and systems used in the...
active opticsTechnology that corrects the shape of reflective optics; primarily applied in large telescope systems, in order to...
galvanometric scannerA galvanometric scanner, also known as a galvanometer scanner or galvo scanner, is a type of optical scanning device used to...
ephemeris timeUniform measure of time based on dynamics law and calculated according to planetary orbital paths; specifically, Earth's...
reticleA reticle, also known as a reticule or graticule, is a pattern or set of markings placed in the focal plane of an optical...
Twyman-Green interferometerA testing device that provides a contour map of the emergent wavefront for the observer in terms of the given wavelength of...
scanning electron microscopeA scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a powerful imaging instrument used in scientific research, materials...
hygroscopicIn fiber optics, a material whose properties, usually of transmission, are distinctly affected by the absorption of water...
correspondence theoryBohr's formulation that every new theoretical principle must correspond to the salient classical predecessor. The principle...
Schlieren opticsAn optical system that records inhomogeneities within a medium by detecting the energy refracted by that portion of the...
neutral density wedgeA strip or annulus of glass coated with a semitransparent material such as inconel. The coating thickness, and as a result...
linear positioning stageA linear positioning stage, also known as a linear stage or translation stage, is a precision mechanical device used to...
curvilinear distortionA lens aberration in which the focal length varies radially outward from the center of the field. It has the effect of...
laser annealingLaser annealing is a process that involves using a laser beam to heat and modify the microstructure of a material, typically...
amphoteric materialsSubstances that exhibit the characteristics of both acids and bases and are capable of both P- and N-type conductivity.
near-field holographyA lithography method that allows the transfer of fine-pitch gratings from a phase mask into photoresist. The exposure takes...
divided slit scanA scanning technique in optical character recognition in which an array of photocells is used to scan each character to...
microlens arrayA microlens array is a grid-like structure composed of numerous small lenses, typically arranged in a regular pattern. Each...
band spectrumA spectrum that originates from molecules and that is composed of bands which, in turn, consist of many closely spaced...
GaN distributed feedback lasersGaN (gallium nitride) distributed feedback (DFB) lasers refer to a specific type of semiconductor laser based on Gallium...
infrared scannerAn optical system used to collect infrared energy from a scene using scanning optics with a point or line detector, as...
laser outputThe laser output refers to the generated and emitted light produced by a laser system. This output is characterized by...
eye reliefAlso termed eye distance. The distance between the vertex of the last optical surface of a visual optical system and the...
Ti:sapphire laserA Ti:sapphire laser is a type of solid-state laser that utilizes a titanium-doped sapphire crystal as the gain medium. The...
infrared searchlightAn infrared source combined with reflecting projection optics to illuminate a target making it visible when observed through...
fluorescence photographyThe photographic recording of a subject that exhibits luminescence only for an extremely short time (10-8 s) after the...
optical fiberOptical fiber is a thin, flexible, transparent strand or filament made of glass or plastic used for transmitting light...
birefringenceBirefringence is an optical property of certain materials that causes them to exhibit different refractive indices for light...
electro-optic modulatorAn electro-optic modulator (EOM) is a device used to modulate the amplitude, phase, or polarization of light waves using an...
optical materialsOptical materials refer to substances or compounds specifically chosen for their optical properties and used in the...
Munsell notationAlphanumerical description of color according to Munsell hue, value and chroma.
structured lightThe projection of a plane or grid pattern of light onto an object. It can be used for the determination of three-dimensional...
waferIn the context of electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, a wafer refers to a thin, flat disk or substrate made of a...
Rydberg atomThe term "Rydberg atom" refers to an atom in a highly excited state where one or more of its electrons are in a Rydberg...
cold coatingA method of applying antireflection coatings to optics that avoids the elevated temperatures normally used. A cold coating...
laser active elementsLaser active elements typically refers to the substances or materials within a laser system that play a critical role in the...
optical tweezersOptical tweezers refer to a scientific instrument that uses the pressure of laser light to trap and manipulate microscopic...
contrastThe apparent difference in brightness between light and dark areas of an image. For a light target against a dark...
Michelson-Morley experimentAn optical experiment carried out conclusively in 1887 that demonstrated that the ether, a hypothetical medium postulated by...
pixelA pixel, short for "picture element," is the smallest controllable element of a digital image or display. It is a...
solar furnaceAn optical system that is designed to produce a high temperature in a specified area by the optical direction and...
multileg lightguideA fiber optic bundle split along its length with the ends of the fibers extending separately to illuminate different points...
quantum confinementQuantum confinement refers to the phenomenon in quantum mechanics where the motion of charge carriers, such as electrons or...
Gregorian telescopeA telescope with an ellipsoidal secondary concave mirror that reflects rays from a parabolic primary mirror through an...
volumetric imagingVolumetric imaging refers to the capture, visualization, and analysis of three-dimensional (3D) information from a volume of...
transmitterIn fiber optic communications, a light source whose beam can be modulated and sent along an optical fiber, and the...
Mie scatteringMie scattering, named after the German physicist Gustav Mie, refers to the scattering of electromagnetic radiation (such as...
hyperspectral imaging cameraA hyperspectral imaging camera is a sophisticated imaging device capable of capturing and processing data across a wide...
rasterThe pattern of lines traced by rectilinear scanning in display systems.
spatial light interference microscopySpatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) is an optical microscopy technique that belongs to the category of quantitative...
fractalsA method used to generate graphics within a computer system. Rather than dots or lines, fractal graphics work with...
autofluorescenceAutofluorescence refers to the natural emission of fluorescence exhibited by certain biological structures or molecules when...
sondeA ruggedized scintillation counter used in oil well logging. The cylindrical housing contains a gamma ray source, a...
phase contrast microscopyPhase contrast microscopy is an optical microscopy technique that enhances the contrast of transparent and colorless...
III-V materialIn semiconductor physics and materials science, the term "III-V materials" refers to compounds composed of elements from...
intensified charge-coupled device cameraAn intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera is an advanced imaging device that combines the capabilities of both an...
incoherentIn optics, the term denoting the lack of a fixed phase relationship between two waves. If two incoherent waves are...
azimuthal polarizationAzimuthal polarization refers to a specific polarization state of light where the electric field vector of the...
topologyTopology is a branch of mathematics that focuses on the properties of space that are preserved under continuous...
probe cardA probe card is a testing device used in the semiconductor manufacturing industry to evaluate and test the electrical...
biomarkerA biomarker, short for biological marker, refers to a measurable and quantifiable indicator of a biological condition,...
astronomyThe scientific observation of celestial radiation that has reached the vicinity of Earth, and the interpretation of these...
diamond-turned opticDiamond turning refers to a precision machining process used to produce complex optical components, particularly lenses and...
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