TEM Dictionary Terms
laser damageA natural or mechanical system adversely affected by the influence of laser radiation. During laser damage the common effect...
atmospheric refraction correlationFormulaic compensation to correct laser ranging data for the effects of horizontal refractivity gradients; it requires the...
germicidal UVGermicidal ultraviolet (GUV) refers to a specific range of UV radiation that has disinfectant properties capable of killing...
off-axis paraboloid and ellipsoid mirrorOff-axis paraboloid and ellipsoid mirrors are specialized optical components used in various optical systems, particularly...
deep ultravioletDeep ultraviolet (DUV or deep-UV) refers to a specific range of ultraviolet light with shorter wavelengths than those in the...
correlated color temperatureTemperature of the blackbody having chromaticity nearest to that of the test source on a specified chromaticity diagram.
blaze heightBlaze height typically refers to a parameter in the context of diffraction gratings, which are optical devices consisting of...
Cassegrain lens systemA two-mirror lens design used in astronomical telescopes, the primary being a parabola, the secondary a smaller hyperbola....
principal planeIn a lens or lens system, that surface at which the projections of an entering and exiting ray intersect. Also known as the...
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retina cameraA special-purpose camera used by ophthalmologists to photograph the retina of the eye. The optical system operates through...
head-up displayAn optical system that superimposes a synthetic display providing navigational or weapon-aiming information on a pilot's or...
MEMS fiber optic switchA MEMS fiber optic switch is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device designed to selectively route optical signals...
backlashIn a mechanical system, any lost motion between driving and driven elements due to clearance between parts.
object spaceIn an optical system, the space between the object being viewed and the system entrance pupil.
electric dichroism spectroscopyThe use of a krypton laser system for the measurement of small molecules aligned by an electric field, by analyzing the...
hybrid mosaic on stacked siliconA sensor module used in advanced pattern recognition systems, containing signal-processing integrated circuits stacked and...
fixed-pattern noiseFixed-pattern noise is the measure of the static (nontemporal) differences between pixels when the detector is evenly...
ionization spectrometerAlso known as the Bragg spectrometer. A system used for the x-ray analysis of crystal structure. In the instrument, a...
impurity ionAn alien, electrically charged atomic system in a solid; an ion substituted for the constituent atom or ion in a crystal...
detector noise-limited operationIn optical communication systems, operations in which the amplitude of the pulses, as opposed to their width, determines the...
milli (m)In the SI system, prefix meaning one-thousandth, 10-3.
laser velocimeterA system that uses a continuous-wave laser to measure the velocity of an object by focusing the laser beam on the object,...
nanoparticle photonic resonator absorption microscopyNanoparticle photonic resonator absorption microscopy is a microscopy technique that combines the principles of photonic...
telescope lensA telescope lens is a primary optical component of a telescope system that gathers and focuses light to form an image. It is...
monocoil sheathingA type of tubing used to protect optical fiber cables, consisting of a wire spiral of aluminum, galvanized steel or...
gyroscopeA gyroscope is a mechanical device consisting of a spinning disk or wheel mounted on a spinning axis in such a way that its...
radial astigmatismThe astigmatism in a lens system that results when light enters the system at an oblique angle.
mode1. The characteristic of how light propagates through a waveguide that can be designated by a radiation pattern in a plane...
path-reversal principleThe criterion maintaining that if light follows a specific path through an optical system, it will, if reversed, traverse...
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...
optical coatingsOptical coatings are thin layers of materials applied to optical components, such as lenses, mirrors, filters, and prisms,...
cooled infrared detectorAn infrared detector that achieves a specified sensitivity through the application of certain cryogenic temperatures.
voidA blank area (caused by insufficient inking of the paper) that falls within the range of an intended character stroke in an...
time-to-amplitude converterA time-to-amplitude converter (TAC) is an electronic circuit that converts a time interval between two events into an...
Nernst glowerA Nernst glower, also known simply as a Nernst lamp or Nernst filament, is a type of incandescent lamp or radiant heater...
micro-LEDMicro-LED (micro-light-emitting diode) refers to a technology that involves the use of very small light-emitting diodes to...
blink comparatorAn optical system that rapidly alternates two similar pictures or scenes to permit the detection of small dissimilarities...
laser damage thresholdThe laser damage threshold refers to the maximum level of laser intensity that a material can withstand without experiencing...
thin-film deposition equipmentThin-film deposition equipment refers to machinery and tools used in the process of depositing thin layers of material onto...
clear apertureThe limited light-gathering area of an optical system. The area is normally restricted to an edge or outer surface of an...
holographic gratingA holographic grating is a type of diffraction grating that is produced using holographic recording techniques. It consists...
surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopySurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an analytical technique that combines the principles of Raman spectroscopy...
anamorphosisA state in which an image is distorted by an optical system.
collateral radiationCategory inclusive of all radiation that is incited electronically, except laser radiation, as a function of the application...
resolution targetA chart on paper or glass containing a series of sets of lines at progressively smaller spacing and used to ascertain the...
holographic nondestructive testingThe application of coherent wavefront techniques to the determination of the physical state of a system without appreciably...
connector lossEnergy loss encountered at connectors in optical fiber transmission systems. The major contributors are mutual core...
Ostwald systemThe system of color classification and description produced by Wilhelm Ostwald.
galvo-directing mirrorsA system of mirrors that can be used to direct light from a single laser source into any one of a number of separate optical...
motion controllerIn optics, a motion controller refers to a device or system that precisely controls the movement of optical components, such...
fluorescence decay systemA device, also called a fluorescence lifetime instrument, that measures decay curves of fluorescing samples. It generally...
GaAlAs laserA GaAlAs laser is a type of semiconductor laser diode that emits light in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic...
integration timeIntegration time, in the context of optics, imaging systems, and sensor technology, refers to the duration over which a...
Y axis1. In a plane Cartesian coordinate system, the vertical axis orthogonal to the X-axis. 2. In a quartz crystal structure, the...
amplitude-modulated sensorA type of fiber optic sensor that detects alteration in position, distance, pressure, liquid level or temperature by...
Kell factorIn an interlaced scanning electro-optical system such as television, the system resolution will be less than the number of...
whole slide imagingWhole slide imaging (WSI), also known as virtual slide microscopy or digital pathology, is a technology that involves the...
calorimetryCalorimetry is a branch of science that involves the measurement of heat flow in physical or chemical processes. It...
depth of fieldThe distance, on either side of the object plane focused on, through which satisfactory image definition can be obtained....
Risley prismA Risley prism, also known as a Risley prism pair or Risley rotating prism, is an optical device used for controlling the...
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...
communicator bandwidthThe maximum rate at which temporally disjunct optical signals can be produced or detected.
magnetic spectrographAn electron system using the effect of a constant magnetic field on electron paths to differentiate electrons that have...
thematic mapperAn instrument used to record infrared images of large areas. The recorded data are used to produce maps in false color...
induced pluripotent stem cellsInduced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are ordinary cells that are genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like...
complementary metal-oxide semiconductorComplementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) refers to a technology used in the fabrication of integrated circuits,...
light valveWith respect to display systems, a device that uses an independent light source and a control-layer medium, the active...
image intensifierAn image intensifier, also known as an image intensification tube or image intensification device, is a specialized...
narrow-angle dark-field illuminationAn imaging system designed to highlight small deviations in a planar reflective object such as a mirror. The system can be...
fluorophoreA fluorophore is a molecule or a portion of a molecule that has the ability to emit light upon excitation by an external...
tempered glassA glass that is heated, then chilled (usually by an air blast) to set up internal stresses so that the surfaces are under...
skiatronA system employing a dark trace tube in which the opacity of the screen is varied as a function of the power of the beam.
integral densityWith respect to color photography, the measurement of the way the color film modulates the radiant flux in the optical...
autocollimatorAn autocollimator is an optical instrument used for measuring small angular deviations with high precision. It operates on...
optically biaxial crystalOne of a class of crystalline substances belonging to triclinic, monoclinic and orthorhombic systems that have two optic...
biostimulationThe action of a biological system responding to a single or multiple coherent particles of light produced from a laser...
novelty filterA filtering device that detects what is new in a scene of interest. Often compared to that of a temporal high pass filter,...
ultramicrometerA system used to measure very small displacement by electrical means.
gray bodyA temperature radiator whose spectral emissivity at all wavelengths is in constant ratio (less than unity) to that of a...
laser coolingA process and method by which manipulation and orientation of a given number of directed laser beams decreases the motion of...
effective data rateA characterization of the throughput performance of data storage systems; the EDR is the total of data retrieved divided by...
Schlieren opticsAn optical system that records inhomogeneities within a medium by detecting the energy refracted by that portion of the...
frequency domainThe frequency domain is a concept used in signal processing and analysis to represent signals and data in terms of their...
active mediumA material that produces stimulated emission during the process of amplification with a laser system.
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...
molded lensA molded lens is an optical lens manufactured using a molding process, typically involving the shaping of a material, such...
antigenAn antigen is any substance that is capable of triggering an immune response in an organism. Antigens are typically proteins...
attenuation meterA device used to measure power loss in fiber optic connectors, cables or systems.
mirror mountA mirror mount is a mechanical device used to secure and precisely position mirrors in optical systems. Mirrors are...
modulatorA modulator is a device or component that modifies a carrier signal in order to encode information for transmission over a...
fusion ignitionFusion ignition refers to the point in a controlled nuclear fusion reaction where the energy released by the fusion...
axial bundleA bundle of rays that originates from an object point on the optical axis of a lens system.
speckle effectIn laser systems, the granular effect that is noted when observing the expanded cross section of a laser beam.
photomultiplier tubeA photomultiplier tube (PMT) is a highly sensitive vacuum tube that detects and amplifies low levels of light. It is widely...
halogen lampA halogen lamp, also known as a tungsten halogen, quartz-halogen, or quartz iodine lamp, is an incandescent lamp that uses a...
bandwidth-limited operationIn fiber optics, the limitation on performance imposed by the system bandwidth rather than the amplitude of the signal.
gallium arsenide phosphideGallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) is a semiconductor alloy composed of gallium (Ga), arsenic (As), and phosphorus (P). It...
Camera Link HSCamera Link HS (high speed) is a standard developed for high-speed digital data transmission in machine vision and...
liquid crystal light valveA liquid crystal light valve (LCLV), also known as a spatial light modulator (SLM), is an optical device that modulates the...
magnetometerA magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and/or direction of a magnetic field. It can detect...
Faraday rotationThe effect discovered by Faraday in 1845 whereby nonoptically active materials or substances become capable of rotating the...
pulse forming networkA series of capacitors and inductors connected to the flashlamp in a pumped Nd:YAG laser system in order to regulate the...
panoramic lensA lens system that is capable of producing a 360° image, or one that is very close to that. In recording, the image may...
optical design and engineering servicesOptical design and engineering services involve the development, customization, and optimization of optical systems and...
lidarLidar, short for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and...
microscope immersion fluidThe liquid used in microscopy to fill the space between the high-power objective lens and the microscope slide in order to...
thermal interface materialsThermal interface materials (TIMs) are substances or compounds used to enhance the thermal conductivity between two surfaces...
augmented realityAugmented reality (AR) is a technology that integrates digital information, typically in the form of computer-generated...
point-focusing collectorA device used in solar systems to direct mirror-reflected sunlight to a heat absorber and heat-driven engine, which turns a...
machine learningMachine learning (ML) is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on the development of algorithms and...
SISysteme Internationale d'Unites, the international metric system of units.
duplexIn data communications, the simultaneous operation of a circuit in both directions is known as full duplex; if only one...
long-wavelength systemIn fiber optic communications systems, generally one that operates between 1000 and 1700 nm.
shock waveInterruption in the normal flow of a plasma or fluid characterized by sharp rises in velocity, temperature and pressure. As...
time-correlated single photon countingTime-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is a technique used in photon counting applications, particularly in the...
yoctoIn the SI system, prefix meaning 10-24. (y).
concaveConcave is an adjective used to describe a surface or shape that curves inward or has a hollow or recessed appearance. In...
mass relievingThe removal of material from an optical system to decrease the weight and sometimes the bulk of the system. See coring;...
objectThe figure seen through or imaged by an optical system. It may contain structures, natural or artificial, or it may be the...
polymerase chain reactionThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a widely used molecular biology technique used to amplify a specific segment of DNA...
blackbody locusWith respect to a chromaticity diagram, this is the locus of points that represent the chromaticities of blackbodies...
nanoLEDAn LED (light-emitting diode) is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs...
optical combinerAn optical combiner, in the context of optics and display technologies, refers to a device or component that combines...
rolling shutter artifactsRolling shutter artifacts are distortions or visual anomalies that can occur in images or videos captured by cameras with...
angle-tracking systemA system in which a sequence of direct measurements of the target position is fed into a tracking filter that may produce...
achromatAn achromat, in the context of optics, refers to a type of lens or lens system designed to reduce chromatic aberration....
dust counterAn instrument that uses a photoelectric system to determine the size and volume of dust particles in a given unit of air.
nadirIn a remote sensing system, nadir refers to the point on the ground located vertically below the center of the system. In...
solar furnaceAn optical system that is designed to produce a high temperature in a specified area by the optical direction and...
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...
fluorescence lifetimeFluorescence lifetime refers to the average time it takes for a fluorophore, a molecule that absorbs light at one wavelength...
laser triangulationA technique that uses a solid-state laser and a detector to determine an object's relative distance to the system. The laser...
GaN-based LEDsGallium nitride-based light-emitting diodes (GaN-based LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric...
environmental parametersPotential hazards to a system's application and installation, including temperature variations, chemical reactivity,...
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...
laser lithotripsyLaser lithotripsy is a medical procedure that uses laser energy to break down or fragment stones in various parts of the...
discriminatorA circuit incorporated into counter systems that records only pulses that have amplitudes between two preselected limits.
baffleAn opaque shielding device designed to reduce the effect of stray light on an optical system.
gray scaleIn image processing, the range of available gray levels. In an 8-bit system, the gray scale contains values from 0 to 255.
common-mode voltageAn electrical problem that occurs when voltage is not the same with respect to ground at every node of a system, causing...
optical cements and adhesiveOptical cements and adhesives are specialized materials used in the assembly and bonding of optical components in optical...
electron-gun systemAn electron-gun system is an assembly used to generate and control a focused beam of electrons. Electron guns find...
stealthThat characteristic which makes a weapon system less visible to radar, optical, acousto-optic, infrared and other military...
optical continuous wave reflectometerAn instrument used to measure backscatter as well as optical return loss and reflectance within an optical fiber system by...
machine vision systemA machine vision system is an integrated combination of hardware and software components designed to capture, process, and...
resolution1. In optics, the ability of a lens system to reproduce the points, lines and surfaces in an object as separate entities in...
globarA light source made up of silicon carbide or carborundum. It is resistant to the negative temperature coefficient and...
heat treatingThe process of subjecting glass to temperature cycling to produce physico-chemical reactions that alter its properties....
infrared light-emitting diodeAn infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) is a semiconductor device that emits infrared light when an electric current...
coherent fiber bundleA coherent fiber bundle (CFB), also known as a coherent fiber optic bundle, is an assembly of multiple optical fibers...
photoelectric colorimeterA system having a photoelectric detector for the measurement of three quantities related by linear combination to...
optical character recognitionOptical character recognition (OCR) is a technology that is used to convert printed or handwritten text into...
erecting eyepieceAn eyepiece combined with an erecting prism or lens system.
phototoxicityPhototoxicity refers to the harmful effects caused by exposure to light, particularly intense or ultraviolet (UV) light, on...
bandgapIn semiconductor physics, the term bandgap refers to the energy range in a material where no electronic states are allowed....
collective lensA convex or positive lens that serves to collect energy and direct it into subsequent system optics.
moiré deflectometryAn optical interference technique widely utilized as a method of nondestructive testing when determining the ray deflection...
auxiliary telescopeA low-power telescope placed at the eyepiece of an optical system to increase overall magnification. Most often used to...
modal noiseIn an optical system, noise created by mode-dependent optical losses and variations in the distribution of radiant power...
etalonAn etalon is an optical device that consists of two parallel reflecting surfaces separated by a precise and known distance....
nanometerA unit of length in the metric system equal to 10-9 meters. It formerly was called a millimicron.
phase-change optical discAn erasable data recording and storage medium that uses a laser to heat the crystalline surface of the disc to a certain...
detemA device in which the functions of optical detector and emitter are combined.
RTSP protocolRTSP, or real-time streaming protocol, is a network control protocol designed for controlling streaming media servers. It is...
candelaSI unit of luminous intensity. It is defined as one sixtieth the normal intensity of one square centimeter of a blackbody at...
masks for evaporation/depositionIn the context of thin film deposition processes such as evaporation or sputtering, masks are used to selectively deposit...
centiIn the SI system, prefix meaning one hundredth, 10-2.
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...
conjugate autofocus systemA system that determines whether an image is in or out of focus by means of a source of illumination at the conjugate focal...
aberrationA departure from ideal paraxial imaging behavior. The distortion of an optical field wavefront as it is propagated through...
indium phosphideIndium phosphide (InP) is a compound semiconductor material composed of indium (In) and phosphorus (P). It belongs to the...
metastable stateAn excited energy state of an atom or atomic system that has a longer lifetime than the ordinary excited state and typically...
terahertz spectrometerA terahertz spectrometer is a scientific instrument used to measure and analyze the properties of materials in the terahertz...
fiber optic sensorA fiber optic sensor is a device that uses optical fibers to detect and measure physical, chemical, biological, or...
Wadsworth mountingA system used for gratings that consists of a concave mirror, a grating and a plate holder mounted normal to the grating to...
quantum cascade laserA quantum cascade laser (QCL) is a type of semiconductor laser that operates based on the principles of quantum mechanics....
phase distrortionPhase distortion refers to a change in the phase relationships between different frequency components of a signal. In the...
photodiode detectorA photodiode detector is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It operates based on the...
threshold1. In visual perception, the minimum value of stimulus that can be perceived on the average. 2. In optical detection...
gigaA prefix that is used to represent 109 or 1,000,000,000 in the SI system.
direct read after writeA write-once optical disc storage system in which the optical head reads continuously while writing to check the accuracy of...
Dammann gratingA Dammann grating is a type of diffractive optical element (DOE) used to create an array of equally spaced,...
Strehl ratioThe ratio of the illuminance at the peak of the diffraction pattern of an aberrated point image to that at the peak of an...
stroboscopic interferometryA pulsed interferometer that permits the continuous quantitative mapping of the surface deformation of an adaptive optical...
ultraviolet fiber opticsUltraviolet (UV) fiber optics refers to optical fibers that are designed and optimized for the transmission of ultraviolet...
cosmic ray telescopeA system consisting of two or more Geiger-Müller counters, connected in coincidence with their centers on an axis. The only...
silicon photodiodeA silicon photodiode is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It is a type of photodetector...
optical pyrometryThe determination of the temperature of a source by the detection of its incandescent brightness.
photothermal effectThe cause of some forms of laser injury in which tissue absorbs incident laser light and experiences a damaging rise in...
rare earth dopantsRare earth dopants refer to elements from the lanthanide series, also known as rare earth elements, that are intentionally...
optical axisThe imaginary line passing through both the centers of curvatures of the optical surfaces of a lens or mirror; the optical...
vapor degreasingA method of cleaning and drying coated optical components. The cooled parts are placed in a container above a boiling...
angular spectrum approachThe angular spectrum approach is a mathematical and computational technique used in the field of optics to analyze and...
magnetorheological finishingMagnetorheological finishing (MRF) is a precision optics polishing technique used for shaping and finishing optical surfaces...
resonatorA resonator is a device or system that exhibits resonance, which is a phenomenon that occurs when an external force or...
input/outputI/O stands for input/output. In computing, it refers to the communication between a computer system or program and its...
precision apertureAn accurately produced hole of any size and shape that is used as a masking device in an optical system. Pinhole apertures...
dichroic mirrorA dichroic mirror, also known as a dichroic beamsplitter or interference filter beamsplitter, is an optical device that...
field stopAn aperture located at an image plane of an optical system that determines the size and shape of the image.
hectoIn the SI system, prefix meaning one hundred, 102.
dioptometerA telescopic system having an eyepiece, a reticle and an objective. The instrument measures wavefront power in diopters.
vector correlationA machine vision technique of image correlation whereby the correlation kernel (template of the desired image) is...
Koehler illuminationA two-stage illuminating system for a microscope in which the source is imaged in the aperture of the substage condenser by...
coherent radiationRadiation in which the phase relationship between any two points in the radiation field has a constant difference, or is...
microchannel plateA microchannel plate (MCP) is a specialized electron multiplier device used in various applications such as particle...
bionicsThe application of observed operational processes of sophisticated living organisms to mechanical and electrical systems in...
optical analysisThe mathematical evaluation of an optical system to determine and quantify its basic optical properties and image quality...
drawing towerA system for fabricating optical fiber, consisting of a furnace that heats the materials, a polymer coating stage, a...
Zernike's phase contrast methodThe introduction of a filter into an imaging system to implement a phase contrast for an intensity mapping of a pure phase...
interference1. The additive process whereby the amplitudes of two or more overlapping waves are systematically attenuated and...
infrared thermal detectorUsed to detect radiation from the infrared region. The functional process includes absorption of infrared radiation, which...
impedanceQualitatively, the inverse of the amount of velocity produced by the application of a sinusoidal force to a system;...
atomic absorption spectrometerAn atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) is an analytical instrument used to determine the concentration of specific chemical...
devitrificationThe process by which a vitreous or amorphous substance forms a crystal structure at a specified temperature.
photochemicalThe term photochemical pertains to chemical processes or reactions that are initiated or influenced by the absorption of...
bakeoutThe elimination of gases from the surfaces of a vacuum system by heating the surfaces when the pumping phase is occurring.
mixed-signal oscilloscopeA mixed-signal oscilloscope (MSO) is a type of electronic test instrument that combines the capabilities of both a...
system on chipAbbreviated SoC. A single chip containing all the electronic circuits required for a complete, working product. SoCs are...
flowmeterA flowmeter is a device used to measure the flow rate or quantity of a fluid passing through a particular point in a system....
decentration aberrationAn aberration occurring in a lens system when one or more of the centers of curvature of the optical surfaces do not...
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...
electron-beam lithography systemAn electron-beam lithography (EBL) system is a sophisticated nanofabrication tool used in the semiconductor industry and...
fused quartz and silicaFused quartz and silica are closely related materials, both composed primarily of silicon dioxide (SiO2), but they are...
image dissector tubeAn electron tube that is used as a camera tube for a television system. When the picture to be transmitted is focused on a...
environmental rangeThe maximum to minimum range of temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration and biological conditions under which an optical...
universal product codeA system by which consumer products are assigned a bar code that is read by a scanner at a cash register, enabling...
yottaIn the SI system, prefix meaning 1024. (Y).
correlated double samplingA technique for removing thermal noise and drift from focal plane assemblies by sampling the system output between views of...
optical dynameterA small low-power microscope or magnifier with a scale that is used to measure the exit pupil diameter and eye relief on...
Golgi Staining TechniqueThe Golgi staining technique (also called the black reaction) makes it possible to look at the nervous system by rendering...
single attachment stationIn a dual-ring local area network, a node that is connected only to the primary, active ring and not to the secondary ring...
meridional planeThat plane in an optical system containing its optical axis and the chief ray. Also called the tangential plane.
nitrogen vacancyA nitrogen vacancy (NV) refers to a specific type of defect or impurity in a crystal lattice where a nitrogen atom replaces...
Gordon-Haus effectTemporal jitter at a signal's receiver when amplified noise causes frequency shifts, as with a soliton traveling through an...
fluorescent proteinFluorescent proteins are proteins that exhibit the property of fluorescence, which is the ability to absorb light at a...
brightness resolutionThe degree to which a pixel in a digital image represents the analog brightness of the corresponding point in the original...
character generation cathode-ray tubeA cathode-ray tube that generates symbols for use in other displays. The tube operates by scanning specific characters on...
distribution temperatureTemperature of the blackbody having a spectral power distribution approximately proportional to the test source at all...
rectilinear systemAn optical system that is corrected for distortion and spherical aberration and therefore forms the image of a straight line...
computer-calculated diffraction patternThe use of computer analysis in the calculation of diffraction patterns for information on the design of optical systems. In...
eyepieceAlso known as ocular. The lens system used between the final real image in a visual optical system and eye. It acts as an...
scanning headA device composed of a light source and phototube used to scan a moving strip of material in photoelectric side-register...
photonics contract manufacturingPhotonics contract manufacturing refers to the outsourcing of the production of photonics-related components, devices, or...
fiber optic transceiverA fiber optic transceiver, often simply referred to as an "optical transceiver," is a device used in fiber optic...
semiconductorA semiconductor is a type of material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. In...
quantum dot light-emitting diodeQuantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) is a display technology that utilizes quantum dots, which are semiconductor...
double-discharge laserA type of transversely excited laser with a uniform arc-free discharge of large cross-sectional area that can be scaled to...
laser frequency measurementMod Method of obtaining precise temporal mode characteristics.
topological photonicsTopological photonics is a branch of physics and optics that explores the application of topological concepts to the...
supercontinuumSupercontinuum refers to a broad spectrum of light that spans a wide range of wavelengths, typically from the visible to the...
Bravais-Miller indexOne of the constants h, k, f or I, used to demonstrate any set of parallel planes in a crystal of the hexagonal system.
flow chemistryFlow chemistry, also known as continuous-flow chemistry, is a chemical manufacturing process where reactions take place in a...
X-axis1. In a plane Cartesian coordinate system, the horizontal axis, or axis in the left to right direction. 2. In a quartz...
planetary cameraA camera system used for microphotography in which the document to be recorded is on a flat bed, perpendicular to the lens...
split Stirling coolerA cooling system used to attain and maintain desired low temperatures in infrared systems. The Stirling type is a mechanical...
fluorescence lifetime imagingFluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is an advanced imaging technique that provides information about the lifetime of...
spectral signatureA spectral signature, in the context of remote sensing and spectroscopy, refers to the unique pattern or characteristic...
colorimeterA colorimeter is a device used to measure and quantify the color characteristics of an object or a light source. It provides...
microlens arrayA microlens array is a grid-like structure composed of numerous small lenses, typically arranged in a regular pattern. Each...
potassium titanyl phosphateA crystalline material with a high electro-optic coefficient, capable of operating at short wavelengths, with applications...
back focal lengthThe distance from the final optic within a system to the rear image point of the system. See focal length.
interferometric calorimetryHeat measurement method in which the sample is made part of the interferometer and the temperature increase is determined by...
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...
spin-spin couplingReciprocal magnetic interaction between nuclei in a molecular system facilitated by the binding electrons of the molecule.
image motion compensationThe active control of various aspects (optical element position, airspace thickness, etc.) of an optical system that...
etaloningEtaloning is an optical phenomenon that occurs in imaging systems, particularly in devices such as spectrometers,...
optical materialsOptical materials refer to substances or compounds specifically chosen for their optical properties and used in the...
dispersionDispersion refers to the phenomenon where different wavelengths (colors) of light travel at different speeds when passing...
lens discA rotating disc that holds several lenses of differing focal length about a diameter. Used to switch lenses in a system...
temporal responseCharacteristic of deflected light power defined as the quadratic invariant function of the video signal amplitude.
triple aplanatA compound lens consisting of two negative lenses of flint glass. A double-convex lens of crown glass is cemented between...
astigmatic differenceIn an optical system having astigmatism, the distance between the tangential and sagittal image planes.
aerial photographyPhotographing of terrain on the ground and objects in the air by cameras mounted in aircraft; utilized in satellites,...
fiber-coupled LEDA fiber-coupled LED (light-emitting diode) refers to an LED device that is optically coupled to an optical fiber for the...
exit angleThe angle between a light ray emerging from an optical system and the optical axis of that system.
clippingA defect in an optical system that prevents rays from reaching their intended destination; it can be caused by an undersized...
focometerA device used to measure the focal length of an optical system or lens.
time of flight(TOF) The length of time needed for a signal to arrive at and be reflected from the target. The basis of an active...
temporal coherenceA characteristic of laser output, calculated by dividing the speed of light by the linewidth of the laser beam. The temporal...
common optoelectronics laser detection systemA laser warning and countermeasure system containing a sensor that indicates the direction of a laser beam, and analytical...
paraboloidal mirrorA concave mirror that has the form of a paraboloid of revolution. The paraboloidal mirror may have only a portion of a...
standard thermal profileIn infrared imaging systems used for mass screening of printed circuit boards or other quality control applications, an...
balloon-borne astronomical systemAny instrument or system carried by a balloon to the upper atmosphere to measure and record atmospheric information, such as...
calorimeterAn instrument used to measure the change of heat content of a system by measuring microwave power in terms of generated heat.
symmetry operationAny systemic process that ultimately reassembles all the system's components into their initial alignment, or an arrangement...
lensA lens is a transparent optical device that focuses or diverges light, allowing it to pass through and form an image. Lenses...
contextual analysisIn optical character recognition systems, the identification of a character facilitated by means of known factors governing...
entrance pupilIn a lens or other optical system, the image of the aperture stop as seen from object space.
neutral density wedgeA strip or annulus of glass coated with a semitransparent material such as inconel. The coating thickness, and as a result...
optical clockAn optical clock is a highly precise and advanced timekeeping device that relies on the oscillations of electromagnetic...
b integralCalculates the exponential growth of the least stable spatial frequency in a laser beam, and is the numerical equivalent of...
otoscopeAn otoscope is a medical device used by healthcare professionals, particularly ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists,...
sum of slopesHeat loss determined by the sum of rising and falling slopes at a constant temperature.
microheterogeneous systemsExtremely small organic and inorganic systems of molecules within a substance. In general, systems are colloidal size in...
directed energyDirected energy refers to a type of energy that is emitted and transferred in a controlled direction. The term is often...
YAG crystalA YAG crystal refers to a solid-state crystal made of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), which is a synthetic crystalline...
megaIn the SI system, prefix meaning 1 million, 106.
multicolor hologramA hologram formed by reconstruction of multicolor wavefronts. The system used to produce the hologram is designed to combine...
scientific CMOS cameraA scientific CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) camera is a type of digital camera specifically designed for...
infrared opticInfrared optics refer to optical components and systems designed to manipulate and control infrared (IR) light, which lies...
acousto-opticsDiscipline within optical physics that addresses sound vibration, phonon effects and their influencing behavior within...
f-Theta lensA family of lenses commonly used in scan systems for reading or printing documents. The lens must be designed such that the...
isolatorIn the context of electronics and optics, an isolator refers to a device that allows the transmission of signals in one...
mutual coherent functionA function that quantifies the performance degradation of coherent communications systems, imaging systems and all systems...
high-speed motion cameraA high-speed motion camera, also known as a high-speed camera or slow-motion camera, is a specialized imaging device...
sensor1. A generic term for detector. 2. A complete optical/mechanical/electronic system that contains some form of radiation...
machine visionMachine vision, also known as computer vision or computer sight, refers to the technology that enables machines, typically...
dynamic magneto-optical correlatorAn optical correlator incorporating a binary phase-only spatial light modulator made from an iron garnet magneto-optic solid...
time domainThe time domain is a concept used in signal processing and analysis to describe signals in terms of their behavior over...
cold shieldThat part of an infrared detector-Dewar assembly that limits the solid angle viewed by the sensor; it is maintained at a...
transceiverAn instrument or system capable of both transmitting and receiving a signal.
neural networkA computing paradigm that attempts to process information in a manner similar to that of the brain; it differs from...
superresolutionSuperresolution refers to the enhancement or improvement of the spatial resolution beyond the conventional limits imposed by...
adaptationSpontaneous changes to the visual system making it more or less sensitive to light.
beam positionerA device (e.g., prisms, lenses, tubes) used to align a beam in a system.
optical transitionThe process by which an atomic system changes from one energy level to another by either the emission or absorption of...
optical glassOptical glass refers to a type of glass specifically engineered and manufactured for use in optical components and systems,...
embedded laserThe term "embedded laser" typically refers to a laser device that is integrated or embedded into a larger system or...
pico (p)In the SI system, prefix meaning 10-12.
vertical blankingWith respect to a television system, a pulse transmitted at the end of each field to break off the cathode-ray beam as it...
pyroelectric infrared detectorUnlike the thermocouple or bolometer, the pyroelectric infrared detector is a current source with an output proportional to...
CMOS quantitative polymerase chain reaction systemThis type of miniaturized system, referred to as CMOS qPCR, combines microfluidic technology with an ultralow-light CMOS...
micro-ring resonatorA micro-ring resonator is a compact optical device that utilizes the resonant behavior of light within a small ring-shaped...
photodetectorA photodetector, also known as a photosensor or photodiode, is a device that detects and converts light into an electrical...
pyramid errorPyramid error in optics refers to an aberration in the shape of an optical surface, particularly in the context of mirrors....
GaN distributed feedback lasersGaN (gallium nitride) distributed feedback (DFB) lasers refer to a specific type of semiconductor laser based on Gallium...
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...
Wiener filteringA method that embraces the classical approach to image restoration and attempts to minimize the mean square difference...
galvanometric scannerA galvanometric scanner, also known as a galvanometer scanner or galvo scanner, is a type of optical scanning device used to...
actinic focusThat point in the electromagnetic spectrum at which an optical system focuses the most chemically effective rays.
single-photon avalanche diodeA single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is a specialized type of photodetector designed to detect extremely weak optical...
Peltier coolerA Peltier cooler, also known as a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) or thermoelectric module, is a solid-state device that uses...
optical pyrometerAn instrument for determining the temperature of a hot object by examining the color spectrum of the visible light it gives...
dispersion-limited operationOperation in which the dispersion of a pulse limits the distance between repeaters in optical systems. Waveguide and...
solid-state imaging systemAn imaging system that uses a mosaic of tiny light-sensitive semiconductors (phototransistors) to produce individual outputs...
jouleA unit of energy or work in the MKS system of units. One joule is equal to 107 ergs.
feedback control systemA system designed to control the output quantity of a device by returning a portion of its output signal to its input. This...
himawariA system of Japanese origin that utilizes Fresnel lenses and a fiber optic network to transmit sunlight to otherwise...
transputerA computer whose architecture contains several CPU chips arranged in parallel. Often used in image processing systems.
eye reliefAlso termed eye distance. The distance between the vertex of the last optical surface of a visual optical system and the...
quantum key distributionQuantum key distribution (QKD) is a method of secure communication that utilizes principles from quantum mechanics to...
beam profilingBeam profiling is a technique used to characterize and analyze the spatial intensity distribution of a laser beam. It...
PIN photodiodeA PIN photodiode is a type of photodetector or semiconductor device used to convert light signals into electrical signals....
linear receive opticsLinear receive optics typically refers to the optical components and systems used in the reception (detection) of linearly...
lithographyLithography is a key process used in microfabrication and semiconductor manufacturing to create intricate patterns on the...
superchromatic correctionCorrection of an optical system at four separate wavelengths. This correction, longitudinal and lateral, is possible with...
nanopositioningNanopositioning refers to the precise and controlled movement or manipulation of objects or components at the nanometer...
mid-wave infraredMWIR stands for mid-wave infrared, referring to a specific range of wavelengths within the infrared spectrum. Infrared...
after-imageThat image remaining on the detector after the primary stimulus has been removed. In the visual system, the after-image...
computer-output microfilm systemA camera system capable of producing microfilm copies of computerized data presented on a screen.
dye-polymer optical discA type of erasable data storage device that uses a medium deposited on the disc in two layers, each dyed to absorb a...
astronomical unitThe unit generally used to express distances within the solar system, and sometimes to measure interstellar distances....
nonthermal radiationThe radiation emitted from a group of charged particles that does not depend on the temperature of the source in which those...
laser cell sortingA moving group of fluid-suspended biological species directed through separate channels by which the population is isolated....
binary on-offSignal used in optical transmission systems to generate currents in a detector that are decoded with reference to a...
blue diode laserA blue diode laser is a type of semiconductor laser that emits light in the blue wavelength range of the electromagnetic...
sputtering equipmentSputtering equipment is machinery used in the process of physical vapor deposition (PVD), specifically sputtering....
multispectral imagingMultispectral imaging is a technique that involves capturing and analyzing images at multiple discrete spectral bands within...
metrologyMetrology is the science and practice of measurement. It encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement,...
prismA prism is a geometric optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. It is typically a solid, transparent...
glassA noncrystalline, inorganic mixture of various metallic oxides fused by heating with glassifiers such as silica, or boric or...
decentering1. The grinding or edging of a lens so that the geometrical center and optical center do not coincide. 2. The shifting of an...
pulse video thermographyA noncontact, nondestructive method of measuring defects in thin composite materials, using a xenon flashtube to generate...
intermediate imageIn an optical system with a series of lenses, images formed prior to the final focal plane.
powder cameraA camera system that uses a fine powder to diffract x-rays from the specimen. A beam of monochromatic x-rays passes through...
contrast controlWith respect to television, a potentiometer that allows variation of the intensity of the different elements of an image and...
instantaneous field of viewInstantaneous field of view (iFOV) is a term commonly used in the context of remote sensing, imaging systems, and optical...
cosine fourth lawA formula indicating that, for an imaging lens system, the image brightness for off-axis points will fall off at a rate...
linear image sensorA linear image sensor is a type of solid-state electronic device used to capture and convert light into electrical signals....
absolute temperature scaleThe measurement of heat energy as determined from absolute zero as the zero point on the scale. Increments are identical to...
television monitorA television receiver that receives the signals generated by a television camera directly, or remotely through a radio...
nonselective radiatorAlso known as a gray body; a nonselective radiator is a thermal radiator that has a constant spectral emissivity with...
skew rayAny ray through an optical system that is not a meridional ray. The plane created by a refracted skew ray does not contain...
homogeneous broadeningThe broadening of a laser's line width in a way that affects every atom (or molecule), and thus the whole system, in the...
depth of convergenceA critical image parameter in applications where object position may change dynamically relative to the imager; this is a...
image brightnessThe apparent luminance of the image as seen through an optical system. This brightness of the image is determined by the...
simplexA fiber optic transmission system in which data can go in only a single direction.
image photocounting distributionPhoton flow created by imaging of light into a detector array; IPD is the electrical signal used by the image processor in a...
achromatic pointLocation on the CIE chromaticity diagram which produces the color white for a given light source at a specified temperature.
vibrational transitionA vibrational transition refers to a change in the vibrational energy of a molecule. Molecules consist of atoms that are...
decentrationIn a single element, any lack of coincidence between the optical and the mechanical axes. In a lens system, any lack of...
micro-opticsMicro-optics refers to the design, fabrication, and application of optical components and systems at a microscale level....
multiple laser sequenceAlso known as gatling gun laser. A system that has an array of lasers sharing a common central axis on a rotating Fabry...
photochromicPhotochromic refers to a property exhibited by certain materials, typically organic compounds or dyes, which undergo...
time-lapse optical coherence tomographyTime-lapse optical coherence tomography (OCT) refers to a medical imaging technique that captures a series of sequential OCT...
germanium crystalGermanium crystal refers to a crystalline form of the element germanium (Ge), which is a metalloid and semiconductor...
endoscopeAn endoscope is a medical device used for visualizing and examining the interior of hollow organs, body cavities, or...
Casimir forceThe Casimir force is a quantum phenomenon that results in an attractive force between two closely spaced uncharged...
fiber optic preformA fiber optic preform is a cylindrical glass rod or tube used as the starting material for manufacturing optical fibers. It...
light fidelityLiFi, short for light fidelity, is a wireless communication technology that utilizes visible light or infrared light to...
loss budgetThe total optical power loss in a system. The loss budget is often stated in terms of the transmitted power and the power...
digital twinA digital twin refers to a virtual representation or digital counterpart of a physical object, system, or process. This...
laser hammeringMeans of correcting laser postweld shift. The correction procedure is applied to optoelectronic systems such as laser diode...
epitaxial equipmentEpitaxial equipment refers to a set of specialized tools and systems used in the process of epitaxy, which is the growth of...
anamorphic systemAn optical system with different focal lengths or magnification levels in perpendicular planes to the optical axis.
2D profile sensorA 2D profile sensor is a type of sensor used in various industrial and technological applications to measure and capture...
cold coatingA method of applying antireflection coatings to optics that avoids the elevated temperatures normally used. A cold coating...
rotating mirror scannerDeveloped for use in military reconnaissance systems, it consists of a polygonal mirror, drive motor, interface between...
Winchester driveA sealed, hard, magnetic disc drive used for the storage of data in a computer system.
spherical aberrationSpherical aberration is an optical aberration that occurs when light rays passing through a lens or curved optical surface...
computer visionComputer vision enables computers to interpret and make decisions based on visual data, such as images and videos. It...
optical page readerAn optical scanning system found in most computer scanners that can read documents, often in many type styles, and convert...
metaboliteA metabolite is any small molecule that is a product of metabolism, the chemical processes that occur within living...
cryostatA device used to maintain near-absolute temperatures for experimental procedures.
diamond-turned opticDiamond turning refers to a precision machining process used to produce complex optical components, particularly lenses and...
outside vapor-phase oxidationA process for the production of optical fibers. A glass bait is rotated in a traversing flame of a reaction burner....
memberIn a lens system, a group of elements considered as an entity; either a front or rear member depending on whether it is...
diffraction gratingA diffraction grating is an optical component consisting of a surface with a periodic structure of equally spaced, parallel...
optical coherence tomography imaging systemOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique used in medical diagnostics and biomedical research to obtain...
nanoimprint lithographyNanoimprint lithography (NIL) is a nanolithography technique used for fabricating nanoscale patterns on a substrate. It is a...
optical surfaceA reflecting or refracting surface contained within an optical system.
laser outputThe laser output refers to the generated and emitted light produced by a laser system. This output is characterized by...
MSM photodiodeA metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiode is a type of photodetector that consists of metal electrodes on a semiconductor...
fiber distributed data interfaceA standard for fiber optic data transmission systems being developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and...
electrolytic developmentDeveloping a photographic image by means of an applied electric field. The methods used include electrolysis and...
apochromatic systemAn optical system that is corrected chromatically for three colors simultaneously.
rapid rectilinear lensA double meniscus system in which two achromatized meniscus lenses are arranged symmetrically on either side of the aperture...
infrared photodetector arrayAn impurity-doped silicon detector array sensitive to long infrared wavelengths, installed in optical collecting systems...
near-infrared spectrometerA near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer is an analytical instrument used to measure the absorption, transmission, or reflection...
transmissionIn optics, the conduction of radiant energy through a medium. Often denotes the percentage of energy passing through an...
zoom lensAn optical system of variable focal length, the focal plane remaining in a fixed position. This result is achieved by moving...
quantum sensingQuantum sensing refers to a class of sensing technologies that leverage principles from quantum mechanics to enhance the...
photovoltaicPhotovoltaic (PV) refers to a technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductors. The term...
blackbody simulatorA source that attempts to create the characteristics of an ideal blackbody. It consists of a cavity, generally spherical,...
network interface cardA network interface card (NIC), also known as a network adapter or LAN adapter, is a hardware component that allows...
droppingThe process whereby a blank or disc is heated to a sufficiently high temperature to sag into a mold having a desired...
transverse modeIn the context of optics and lasers, a transverse mode refers to a specific spatial pattern of the electric field within the...
digital point systemA pixel-based computer graphics system that simulates the tools of an artist.
activity1. Synonymous with radioactivity. The intensity of a radioactive source illustrated as the number of atoms disintegrating in...
dewettingDewetting is a phenomenon in materials science and physics where a thin film or coating spontaneously undergoes a process of...
lab-on-a-chipA lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a miniaturized device that integrates various laboratory functions and capabilities onto a single,...
optical componentOne or more optical elements – typically cemented together - in an optical system that are treated as a single group;...
infrared microscopeA type of microscope that uses radiation in the infrared region to illuminate objects that are opaque to visible radiation....
slow-scan televisionA television system that uses a slow rate of horizontal scanning to increase its reproduction and transmittance accuracy of...
aperture diaphragmThe second adjustable iris diaphragm in an optical system. In the common microscope condenser system, it usually is located...
centered lens systemA lens system in which the centers of curvature of all surfaces fall on a common axis.
closed-loop adaptive single parameterA closed-loop system that compensates for thermal blooming by optimizing only one parameter: the amplitude of the phase...
simultaneous dual field of viewA passive infrared system that uses two line-of-sight telescopes to generate both narrow and wide field-of-view images of...
Ioffee barA fusion system conductor capable of carrying current in opposite directions in alternating time phases.
ground truthA term variously applied to remote sensing techniques that essentially refers to all parametric conditions that influence...
laser pattern generationProduction of a repeated image of a transmitted beam through a diffractive optical element such as a holographic card or...
image jumpIn optics, the term image jump refers to a displacement or shift in the apparent position of an image when a change occurs...
photoresistPhotoresist is a light-sensitive material used in photolithography processes, particularly in the fabrication of...
half duplexA communications system that can transmit in only a single direction at a time. See duplex.
mode hoppingMode hopping in the context of lasers refers to a phenomenon where a laser system abruptly switches from one longitudinal...
chromaticity coordinatesProportions of standard primaries (tristimulus values) required for a color match; ratios of each tristimulus value of a...
shading1. The sorting of lenses by their color. 2. In an optical system, an irradiance or brightness gradient in the image that is...
transitionThe process whereby a quantum mechanical system alters from one energy level to another. During this process, energy is...
grating prismA specific, right-angle prism having a transmission grating replicated on its hypotenuse face and used in applications...
distortionA general term referring to the situation in which an image is not a true-to-scale reproduction of an object. The term also...
contrast filterA filter designed to improve contrast in an imaging system. For visual and black and white photosystems, a yellow filter is...
optical assemblyAn optical assembly refers to a collection of optical components that are carefully arranged and aligned to perform a...
backstreamingThe term used in reference to vacuum systems using oil and diffusion pumps, describes the migration of pump fluids and their...
camera chainThe term sometimes used to describe the sequential arrangement of components in a video system -- from transmitter to...
gunsightAn optical device that permits the alignment of a gun, cannon or rocket launcher system with its target.
character read-out systemA photoelectrically controlled, alphanumeric reading device that converts characters to audible or sorting signals which can...
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...
radiation pyrometerAlso known as radiation thermometer. A pyrometer in which the radiant intensity from the source to be measured is used to...
surface quality standardsThe standards of MIL-O-13830 set by the US government relative to tolerable surface scratches and other such defects in an...
contact laser surgeryLaser surgery by means of a low-power laser system using a synthetic sapphire scalpel that transmits the laser light while...
neuromorphicNeuromorphic refers to the design and development of computing systems or devices that are inspired by the structure and...
oscilloscopeA system in which a supplied signal causes the deflection of the electron beam in a cathode-ray tube, thus forming a visible...
borescopeA device for the internal inspection of hard-to-get-at mechanical parts, such as rifle barrels, sewer pipes, oil wells, or...
XYZ axesConventional coordinates for optical system analysis, the X-axis being the horizontal, the Y-axis the vertical and the...
aberration sensor (wavefront sensor)Designed for the function of optical wavefront analysis. Shack-Hartmann camera aberration sensors use a lens array to image...
calcium indicatorA calcium indicator is a molecule that is sensitive to changes in calcium ion (Ca2+) concentrations in biological systems....
electron temperatureApproximation of a system of thermal equilibrium formed by the distribution of the kinetic energies of electrons in a gas...
optical memory1. The direct storage of data as bits in memory using optical systems and properties. The memory makes use of a laser beam...
virtual histologyVirtual histology refers to the use of digital technology and computational methods to simulate or recreate histological...
true fieldThe size of the field of view in the object space of an optical system as differentiated from that in the image space...
gramUnit of mass in the SI system.
optical constructorA system of modular mechanical components for building precision optical systems. The basic equipment includes a variety of...
cartesianOf or pertaining to the methods of the French philosopher Rene Descartes. Refers to the standard orthogonal X-Y-Z coordinate...
photoelasticityThe process of determining, with the aid of plane-polarized light, the stress distribution in materials under complex...
infrared bolometerA superconducting bolometer, operating at very low temperatures, that is used to detect infrared radiation.
correction windowAn optical wedge of very small angles that admits light while sealing out moisture and dirt and that may be rotated to...
CCD image sensorA CCD image sensor, or charge-coupled device image sensor, is a type of electronic device used to convert optical images...
electron multiplication charge-coupled device cameraAn EMCCD (electron-multiplying charge-coupled device) camera is a type of scientific camera specifically designed for...
GigEGigE, short for gigabit Ethernet, refers to a standard for high-speed Ethernet communication, capable of transmitting data...
color televisionA television system that is capable of producing an image whose colors approximate the colors of the original, by the use of...
chemical vapor deposition equipmentChemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment refers to a class of specialized apparatus used in the process of chemical vapor...
sapphire windowA sapphire window refers to a transparent optical component made from sapphire crystal. Sapphire is a single-crystal form of...
Geometrical opticsThe area of optics in which the propagation of light is described by geometrical lines (or rays) governed by Fermat's...
zeptoIn the SI system, prefix meaning 10-21. (z).
component1. A constituent part. It may consist of two or more parts cemented together, or with near and approximately matching...
low-temperature spectroscopyThe analysis of structural and molecular dynamics caused by low temperature.
optical barcode readerAn optical barcode reader, commonly known as a barcode scanner, is a device that uses optical technology to capture and...
cold atomCold atoms refer to atoms that have been cooled to extremely low temperatures, typically in the microkelvin (µK) to...
joint transform correlatorA device consisting of two optical systems in which two signals are simultaneously transformed to produce their spectra, and...
ultramicroscopeA dark-field microscope used to view extremely small objects. These objects are suspended in a gas or liquid in an enclosure...
hydrogelA hydrogel is a three-dimensional network of polymer chains that are hydrophilic, meaning they have a strong affinity for...
optical cementA permanent, transparent, and highly transmissive adhesive capable of withstanding extreme temperatures that is applied to...
multiconfiguration modeUsed in computer design for optical systems with common parts and different applications.
photon drag effectThe induction of an electric field in a semiconductor by an incident laser beam. The technique has rapid response time at...
positioningPositioning generally refers to the determination or identification of the location or placement of an object, person, or...
collection angleThe solid angle of a detector or system pupil as seen by the source.
thermosetting cementAn adhesive that permanently sets or hardens at a specified high temperature. Methacrylate is an example of a thermosetting...
remote inspectionRemote inspection refers to the process of inspecting, evaluating, or monitoring assets, equipment, infrastructure, or...
melting pointThe temperature at which the solid phase of a material is in equilibrium with the liquid phase, or when the material changes...
Golay cellA thermal radiation detector consisting of a small cell with a blackened plastic front face that bulges slightly when heat...
dipvergenceThe vertical angular disparity between the lines of sight of the left and right systems in a binocular instrument....
directorIn a liquid crystal system, the director refers to the local symmetry axis around which the long range order of the liquid...
pistoningMotion of a fiber into and out of the ferrule. This effect is often caused by changes in temperature.
dynamic variationIn electrical equipment, power variations that are temporary (as opposed to the permanent, cumulative effects of drift).
erecting systemLenses or prisms that serve to erect the image; i.e., to bring the image upright after it has been inverted by the objective.
Ross lensA corrective lens system that is placed near the focal plane of a Newtonian telescope to increase its effective field of...
optoisolatorAn optical coupling device that uses light to bridge the gap between incompatible wire communications systems. It contains...
sine wave objectAn object that has a sinusoidal variation of luminance. Its image will have a sinusoidal variation of illuminance and the...
sign conventionsA convention that defines specific dimensions of an optical system, such as the image distance or radius of curvature of a...
systemA combination of components arranged so as to perform at least one function.
photon sieveA photon sieve is an optical device used in the field of optics and imaging. It's designed to focus and shape light,...
triangulationA method of measuring distance by recording a single scene from two points of perspective. Surveying instruments can be...
long-wave infraredLong-wave infrared (LWIR) refers to a specific range of the infrared spectrum. Infrared radiation is divided into three main...
computer numerically controlled grindingComputer numerically controlled (CNC) grinding is a manufacturing process that utilizes computerized controls and precision...
polingThe process of aligning the crystallites in a piezoelectric material by placing a large DC field across the element at an...
holocameraA camera system used to form a high-precision hologram of the subject on a photographic plate. It contains a high-power...
thollon prism systemTwo 30° prisms that are used to produce constant deviation when rotated by equal and opposite angles.
imaging scienceThe science of producing, recording, storing, transmitting and displaying visual images by any system (photographic, video,...
planar magnetronA device used in the sputtering of thin films, in which a magnet system on the back of the cathode deflects the electrons,...
photoconductor contactMaterial used to integrate photoconductors into electro-optical systems. It should provide low resistance to the flow of...
laser opticsLaser optics refers to a broad category of optical components and systems designed for manipulating and controlling laser...
Ultraviolet-CUltraviolet-C (UV-C) refers to a specific range of ultraviolet radiation with shorter wavelengths than those of visible...
spatial light modulatorA spatial light modulator (SLM) is an optical device that modulates or manipulates the amplitude, phase, or polarization of...
harmonic generationHarmonic generation refers to a nonlinear optical process in which incoming photons interact with a material and produce new...
proof-of-concept systemAn assembly of prototype instruments, equipment and/or software designed to perform all the functions of a concept or idea...
kelvinThe SI unit of temperature equal to 1°C. See absolute temperature scale.
spinthariscopeA device through which scintillations are observed or counted through a magnifying lens system.
vacuum breakerA valve that serves to release air into an evacuated system.
microdisplayA microdisplay is a miniature electronic display technology that is designed to project visual information onto a small...
telemeter1. The term used to describe any of the many instruments used to remotely record physical dimensions, such as strain,...
spread functionThe distribution of energy about the image of a point source in the focal plane of an optical system.
photographic resolutionA measure of the ability of a photographic system to record fine detail. Usually stated in terms of cycles per millimeter on...
duplet lens systemAn optical system having two sets of components separated by an air space, while successive lenses in each set are cemented...
micrographA graphic reproduction of an object formed by a microscope or another optical system. Also an instrument used to make tiny...
stacked optical memoryA memory system composed of a stack of holographic plates, a mode-locked laser and a rapid detector array. Ultrashort laser...
cross-coupling1. A defect inherent in a multiple-axis positioning system whereby an adjustment of one axis causes an undesired change in...
boresightThe alignment process that makes the optical axes of two related systems parallel to each other. Also, making the optical...
wavelength division multiplexingA system that allows the transmission of more than one signal over a common path, by assigning each signal a different...
rapid access systemA photographic camera and processing system used to form a usable record of the subject in a short time, usually a few...
free-space opticsFree-space optics (FSO), also known as optical wireless communication or optical wireless networking, refers to the...
calciteA doubly refracting mineral used to produce polarizing prisms. It is uniaxial negative and in the trigonal division of the...
direct detectionIn a fiber optic transmission system, the conversion of received optical pulses directly to an electrical signal.
beam expanderA system of optical components designed to increase the diameter of a radiation beam. Usually an afocal system.
horizontal temperature gradientsHorizontal concentrations that comprise the dominant factor in atmospheric gradient correction. The range bias near due...
aplanatic lens systemA system that satisfies the Abbe sine condition, and is free from spherical aberration and coma.
cesium 134An isotope of cesium that emits negative beta particles and has a half-life of 2.19 years; its applications include...
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...
smart bombA bomb guided to its target by some form of electro-optical system.
identification friend or foe systemA system that transmits and receives identification codes to facilitate the discrimination between enemy and friend in a...
phosphor thermometryA method for remote measurement of the temperature of moving surfaces in harsh environments by using a laser to stimulate...
attenuationAttenuation refers to the gradual loss or reduction of intensity, force, or magnitude of a particular property as it...
Baker-Nunn cameraA wide-field camera based on the classic Schmidt optical system used to photograph Earth-orbiting satellites.
relative equilibriumThe steady state of temperature exhibited by a material that has absorbed and emitted radiation equally.
double-clad fiberDouble-clad fiber (DCF) is a specialized optical fiber that features two concentric cladding layers surrounding a core. The...
recombinase polymerase amplificationRecombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a molecular biology technique used to rapidly amplify specific DNA or RNA...
plastic optical fiberPlastic optical fiber (POF) is a type of optical fiber made from transparent plastic, typically polymethylmethacrylate...
lens systemTwo or more lenses arranged to act in conjunction with one another.
meter1. The basic unit of length in the metric system, equal to 39.37 in. or 3.28 ft. 2. Any device or instrument used for...
cacheA portion of computer memory that is used for temporary storage of frequently accessed data. Substantially increases...
corner cubeA corner cube, also known as a corner reflector or retroreflector prism, is a type of optical device used to reflect light...
atomic clockAn atomic clock is a highly precise timekeeping device that uses the vibrations or oscillations of atoms as a reference for...
photoelectric pyrometerAn instrument used to measure the temperature of a source through the use of photoelectric cells to detect and measure the...
optical fiber optic switchesOptical fiber optic switches are devices used in optical fiber communication systems to selectively route optical signals...
multi-axis alignmentMulti-axis alignment refers to the process of aligning or adjusting components or systems in multiple spatial dimensions or...
Nd:YAG laserNd:YAG laser refers to a solid-state laser that utilizes neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:Y3Al5O12) as the gain...
Förster resonance energy transferFörster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a mechanism describing the transfer of energy between two closely spaced...
magnonA magnon is a quasiparticle representing a quantized spin wave in a magnetic material. In other words, it is a collective...
chirped-pulse amplificationChirped pulse amplification (CPA) is a technique used in laser physics to amplify ultrashort laser pulses to high energies...
point spread functionThe point spread function (PSF) is a fundamental concept in imaging that describes the response of an imaging system to a...
ring-laser gyroscopeA ring laser gyroscope (RLG) is a type of gyroscope that uses laser light to detect and measure changes in orientation. It...
inverse problemAny problem that requires retrieval of the distribution of some internal properties, such as temperature concentration,...
focal powerIn a symmetrical optical system this is a measure of the influence of the system upon the focus of a pencil of rays passing...
photonic cavityA photonic cavity, also known as an optical cavity, is a structure that confines electromagnetic radiation within a certain...
sapphire optical fiberSapphire optical fiber is a type of optical fiber made from single-crystal sapphire, which is a form of aluminum oxide...
cylindrical lensA cylindrical lens is an optical component that has different curvatures along its two orthogonal axes, resulting in a shape...
apochromatAn apochromat, often referred to as an apochromatic lens or apochromatic objective, is a type of optical system designed to...
laser crystalA laser crystal, also known as an active medium or gain medium, is a solid-state material used in the construction of...
spatial intensity perturbationA beam instability, induced by index of refraction inhomogeneities and component damage of dirt and dust particles, that...
diffusion diskAn embossed or marked disk, constructed out of a transparent material and used with a camera system to soften an image.
facsimile synchronizingThe maintenance of the same scanning relationship between the transmitting scanning spot and receiving scanning spot for...
optical phase distortionOptical phase distortion refers to a phenomenon where the phase of an optical wavefront is altered as it propagates through...
thermistorA solid-state semiconducting structure (basically one of the bolometers) that changes electrical resistance with...
critical apertureIn an optical system, the aperture size at which the lens gives its best overall performance.
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...
attosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopyAttosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopy (APAP) is an advanced technique in ultrafast spectroscopy that allows...
spectral integral densityWith respect to color photography, the measurement, at a given wavelength, of the way the color film modulates the radiant...
averaged threshold receiverA receiver for optical communications systems consisting of a symmetric binary, pulse-code-modulated transmitter, a...
solarization1. The reduction in the developable density of a photographic emulsion that has been extremely overexposed. 2. In a laser...
power modulationPower modulation refers to the intentional variation of power levels in a signal, often in the context of electronic...
coincidence rangefinderAn optical instrument used to determine the distance to a target being viewed. Two similar optical systems view the target...
relay lensA lens or lens system used to transfer a real image from one point within an optical system to another, with or without...
pulse code modulationSystem of information coding in which the signal is sampled 8000 times per second and the samples quantized by referring...
white levelThe state of a carrier signal that corresponds to maximum picture brightness in a television system.
fixed axis of rotationThe locus of points in a system along a line that remains stationary while the remainder of the system rotates.
liquid crystalLiquid crystals are a state of matter that exhibits properties intermediate between those of conventional liquids and solid...
Van der WaalsVan der Waals forces refer to the attractive or repulsive forces between molecules (or parts of molecules) that arise from...
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...
Linnik interference microscopeA Michelson-type interference microscope used to produce interference patterns of reflective specimens through the...
cryogenicsThe science and technology applied to the creation of low temperatures (i.e., approaching absolute zero).
isotemperature line
rotary cameraA camera system used for microphotography that has a structure, such as a cylinder or surveyor belt, to rotate the documents...
image qualityA measure of the closeness with which an optical image is capable of resembling the original object. The factors that affect...
optoelectronicsOptoelectronics is a branch of electronics that focuses on the study and application of devices and systems that use light...
BCS theoryBardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory of superconductivity, based on the notion that electrons with opposite momentum and spin...
vignettingIn an optical system, the gradual reduction of image illuminance as the off-axis angle increases, resulting from limitations...
Dewar vesselAn evacuated, double-walled container for storing liquids at low temperatures. Often made of glass, the vessel resembles a...
fluorographic cameraA camera with a very high aperture lens or mirror system for photographing x-ray fluorescent screen images, mainly to save...
focus control1. A mechanism that permits the focusing of an optical system.2. A means of obtaining the sharpest image from a cathode-ray...
halideIn chemistry, a halide refers to a chemical compound containing one or more halogen atoms bonded to another element. The...
digital signal processingDigital signal processing (DSP) refers to the manipulation and analysis of signals, which are representations of physical...
bolometerA thermometric instrument used for the detection and measurement of radiant energy. Its essential component is a short...
Silsbee effectThe ability of an electrical current to destroy superconductivity by means of the magnetic field generated by the current....
Secondary Speckle PatternA self-interference effect that generates random patterns; secondary speckle pattern (SSP) typically occurs in diffuse...
image amplifierAn electro-optic system using, in general form, an evacuated glass envelope with a semitransparent photocathode at one end...
STED microscopySTED microscopy, or stimulated emission depletion microscopy, is a superresolution imaging technique in fluorescence...
thermomagnetic imagingThe production of an image on a magnetic film that is exposed to infrared radiation and heated to a point above Curie...
stimulated Brillouin scatteringIn Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), an incident photon (usually laser light) interacts with acoustic phonons in a...
piezoelectric transducers and ceramic materialsPiezoelectric transducers are devices that utilize the piezoelectric effect to convert electrical energy into mechanical...
hyperspectral resolutionHyperspectral resolution refers to the level of detail or granularity in the spectral information captured by a...
femtosecond laserA femtosecond laser is a type of laser that emits ultrashort pulses of light with durations on the order of femtoseconds,...
dispersion-shifted fiberA dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF) refers to a type of optical fiber designed to minimize the effects of chromatic dispersion,...
volumetric imagingVolumetric imaging refers to the capture, visualization, and analysis of three-dimensional (3D) information from a volume of...
photolithographyPhotolithography is a key process in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, and...
disc laserA laser having a rod that is a stacked array of discs immersed in a transparent flowing coolant fluid. In this way, the...
dioptric systemAn optical system that uses refraction to form an image.
noise equivalent delta temperatureIn a thermal imaging system, the change in temperature that yields a signal-to-noise ratio of unity.
mirror lensAn image-forming system having curved mirrors in place of transparent glass components. Mirror lenses are commonly used for...
Raman spectroscopyRaman spectroscopy is a technique used in analytical chemistry and physics to study vibrational, rotational, and other...
chromatic aberrationChromatic aberration is an optical phenomenon that occurs when different wavelengths (colors) of light are refracted by a...
transducerA transducer is a device or component that converts one form of energy into another. It is commonly used in various fields,...
Kerr solitonA Kerr soliton refers to a specific type of soliton, a self-reinforcing wave packet, that arises in nonlinear optical...
window1. A piece of glass with plane parallel surfaces used to admit light into an optical system and to exclude dirt and...
phototherapyPhototherapy is a medical treatment that involves the use of light to treat various conditions, particularly those related...
local injection detection systemA device used to evaluate the quality of fiber optic splices made in the field by injecting light into the cladding of the...
centering1. Mounting a lens or mirror so that its optical axis is coincident with the optical or mechanical axes of other portions of...
comaA lens aberration, resulting from different magnifications in the various lens zones, that occurs in that part of the image...
four-wave mixingA phenomenon that occurs in WDM and DWDM systems when three closely spaced signal wavelengths near the zero-dispersion...
hologonA multifaceted holographic disc that is rotated by a motor to deflect incident light to a scanning system's lens.
Mollier diagramGraphic evaluation of the operation of a steam thermodynamic cycle of a solar energy system on which enthalpy is plotted...
radixTotal number of characters available to each position of a digital numeric system.
sky noiseVariations in signal detected on a bolometer that are caused by instabilities in the temperature of the sky.
blind approach beacon systemA ground-based navigation beacon that emits pulsed signals which are picked up by aircraft making an instrument (blind)...
sapphireSapphire refers to a crystalline form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that is used in various optical and photonic applications...
backscatterBackscatter refers to the phenomenon in which radiation or waves are scattered backward, opposite to the direction of the...
card readerA system that generally uses a photodetector to decode punched cards for information, or for input to a computer, by sensing...
luminescenceLuminescence is the emission of light that occurs without the involved substance undergoing a significant increase in...
antireflection coatingAn antireflection coating (AR coating) is a thin film or coating applied to optical surfaces, such as lenses or windows, to...
holographic cameraA holographic camera, also known as a holographic imaging system or holographic recorder, is a specialized device used to...
differential interferometerA device that produces an interferogram that can be directly related to the temperature gradient and thereby provides a...
image distanceThe distance from the last surface of a lens system to the image. For a thin lens system, this distance is equivalent to the...
digital filterA linear computation or algorithm performed on a selected series in the form of an input signal that produces a new series...
kinetic coolingAn atmospheric nonlinear process unique to CO2 laser wavelengths, whereby CO2 absorbs 10.6-µm radiation and the CO2...
cathode radiant sensitivityCathode radiant sensitivity refers to the ability of a photocathode to convert incident radiant energy, typically in the...
elastomerAny material of a macromolecular nature that can stretch at room temperature to more than twice its length and return to...
aerosolA two-phase system consisting of dispersed liquid or solid particles in a gas; examples include dust, smoke and clouds.
critical absorption wavelengthThat wavelength at which the absorption of a given element or system begins to demonstrate an inconstant value.
Stirling engineAn engine in which work is performed by the expansion of a gas at high temperature; heat for the expansion is supplied...
mode beatingIn optics, "mode beating" refers to an interference phenomenon that can occur in laser systems with multiple longitudinal...
Bridgman techniqueCrystal growth method that resembles static freeze, but that induces growth by removing the ampoule from the furnace so that...
radial distortionAn alteration in magnification from the center of the field to any point in the field, measured in a radial direction from...
custom opticA custom optic refers to an optical component that is designed, manufactured, and tailored to meet specific requirements or...
grating beamsplitterA grating beamsplitter is an optical device that utilizes the principles of diffraction to split a beam of light into...
exaIn the SI system, prefix meaning 1018. (E).
range axisThe third dimension (depth or Z-axis) in an imaging system.
marginal raysAlso referred to as the axial ray (or a-ray), a marginal ray originates from the axial point of the object and passes...
ospinOpsins are a group of light-sensitive proteins found primarily in the retinas of vertebrate and invertebrate eyes, as well...
plastic opticsPlastic optics refers to optical components or systems that are made from transparent plastic materials, as opposed to...
jitter1. In relation to cathode-ray tube displays, errors in the signal's amplitude, phase or both that result in small, rapid...
convergent beam sensing modeA type of photoelectric proximity mode sensing incorporating a lens system to focus the light from the emitter in a small,...
optical gateAn optical gate typically refers to a device or system that controls the transmission of light, allowing it to pass through...
Saha equationFormula that describes the thermal equilibrium of gas electrons and ions as a direct function of variations in temperature.
active opticsTechnology that corrects the shape of reflective optics; primarily applied in large telescope systems, in order to...
optical testingRefers to a variety of methods and tools used to determine the surface contour and performance of optical components and...
discriminationThe degree to which a vision system is capable of sensing differences in light intensity between two regions.
aplanatic pointsAplanatic points refer to specific points in an optical system where certain aberrations, such as spherical aberration or...
CMOS image sensorA CMOS image sensor, short for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor, is a type of semiconductor device used...
ambient lightLight present in the environment around a detecting or interpreting device, especially a machine vision system, and...
negative temperature
lens testing equipmentLens testing equipment refers to a range of specialized tools and instruments used to evaluate the optical performance,...
clear eye distanceIn a visual optical system, the axial distance from the last mechanical surface of the eyepiece to the exit pupil.
light fieldThe term light field refers to the spatial distribution of light rays traveling in all directions through a given space. It...
Kerr effectThe Kerr effect, named after the physicist John Kerr who first observed it in 1875, is a nonlinear optical phenomenon where...
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...
temporal disperser
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...
autofocus systemA means of adjusting the sharpness of an image automatically, with a sensor for estimating distance or contrast and a drive...
data linkThe communications network between nodes of a data transmission system.
photonic integrated circuitA photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is a compact and integrated device that incorporates multiple photonic components and...
Bose-Einstein condensateA Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is a state of matter that forms at temperatures close to absolute zero. It is named after...
antiferromagnetismThe elimination of magnetic moments and decrease in magnetic susceptibility with a decrease in temperature due to the equal...
spectrometer maskA high-contrast transparency of the gas sought, or an array of exit slits that correlates with some features of the...
silicon carbide light-emitting diodesSilicon carbide (SiC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current is...
excitonAn exciton is a quasiparticle that represents the bound state of an electron and a hole in a solid-state material, typically...
ophthalmologyOphthalmology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eyes and visual system....
angular subtenseThe measured planar or solid angle of related aspects of an optical system with respect to an optical axis.
microenvironmental control systemEquipment that supports microscopic live-cell imaging by managing the gas, media perfusion, temperature and other factors to...
array processorIn image processing, a specially designed programmable computer peripheral that attaches to the host system for the purpose...
magnifierA lens or lens system that produces an enlarged virtual image of an object placed near its front focal point.
dye laserA laser using a dye solution as its active medium. Its output is a short pulse of broad spectral content and its achievable...
atmospheric turbulenceIrregularities and disturbances in the atmosphere that are of particular interest because they induce random temporal and...
turbidityTurbidity is a measure of the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by the presence of suspended particles. These...
catadioptric imaging systemA system that uses both reflection and refraction to achieve its focal power. While the relative powers of the lenses and...
color thermogramA thermogram in which temperature values are displayed in discrete thermal bands, each band possessing a distinct color.
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...
tracking systemA controlled motion system that may use a telescope, camera or antenna to follow accurately a satellite, missile, vehicle or...
ambient temperatureThe prevailing temperature in the immediate vicinity of the object; the temperature of its environment.
emissivity correction matrixA computer-generated routine for achieving true-temperature readings in thermal infrared imaging systems.
parallel scanningParallel scanning refers to a method of acquiring data or images simultaneously from multiple sources or in parallel, rather...
DIN systemThe logarithmic method of determining emulsion speeds developed by the German standards organization, Deutscher...
laser-mediated gene transferLaser-mediated gene transfer refers to a technique in molecular biology and genetic engineering that utilizes lasers to...
linear positioning stageA linear positioning stage, also known as a linear stage or translation stage, is a precision mechanical device used to...
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...
freeform opticsFreeform optics refers to the design and fabrication of optical surfaces that do not follow traditional symmetric shapes,...
hyperspectral imagingHyperspectral imaging is an advanced imaging technique that captures and processes information from across the...
wobbleIn micropositioning systems, motion (most frequently undesired) about the Z-axis.
thermographyThermography is a technique that involves the use of an infrared imaging device, called a thermal camera or infrared camera,...
acceptance angleThe range of angle or solid angle values by which light may enter an optical system.
mirror blankA mirror blank refers to the initial piece of material from which a mirror is made. It is typically a flat or slightly...
static beam shapingA technique for creating optimal performance in a system by producing a specific beam irradiance distribution, usually...
microstereologyMicroscopic investigation of two-dimensional areas of a three-dimensional object that can be quantitatively evaluated by...
mode sweepingA form of laser output noise that is caused by thermal, mechanical, or acoustical disturbances of the cavity length. Mode...
Porro prism erecting systemThe arrangement of two Porro prisms so that the inverted image formed by certain types of optical instruments is the same as...
mode 1 (and mode 2)In compact disc systems, the two principal frame formats for data storage. Mode 1 devotes 2048 bytes to user data, reserving...
bit error rateThe ratio of the number of bits received incorrectly to the total number of bits transmitted digitally in a system.
vacuum chamberA vacuum chamber is a sealed enclosure from which air and other gases are removed to create a low-pressure environment,...
nonselective sensorA radiometric device or system having uniform responsivity relative to all of the radiation parameters, or relative to one...
real imageAn image that is formed when rays emerging from an optical system all converge to a point on the optical axis. A real image...
metabolic imagingMetabolic imaging refers to the visualization and quantification of metabolic processes within living organisms, tissues, or...
machine vision lensA machine vision lens is a specialized optical lens designed for use in machine vision systems, which are used for automated...
infrared photomicrographyPhotographic recording that uses infrared radiation as the light source to form an image of a microscopic object and a...
optogeneticsA discipline that combines optics and genetics to enable the use of light to stimulate and control cells in living tissue,...
coherent noiseThe manifestation of light from scatterers outside the plane of the object in coherent light systems. The output of these...
nonradiative transitionA nonradiative transition refers to a process in which an electron or an atom undergoes a change in its energy state without...
microbubble resonatorA microbubble resonator is a device used in photonics and optical physics for the precise manipulation of light waves. It...
ray intercept plotA graph of the intersections of a fan of rays with the final image plane, plotted as a function of the positions of the rays...
photoimmunotherapyPhotoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a medical treatment approach that combines elements of phototherapy and immunotherapy to target...
soft coatingA term describing an antireflection coating that may be applied to optics that cannot tolerate the high temperatures usually...
modified chemical vapor depositionModified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) is a technique used in the fabrication of optical fibers. It is a specialized form...
veiling glareDiffuse stray light at the image plane of an optical system that results in reduced contrast and resolution.
APD detectorAn APD detector, or avalanche photodiode detector, is a type of photodetector used to detect light or optical signals by...
autoguiderA CCD sensor that provides feedback to the motion control system for a telescope, allowing the telescope to follow a...
embedded visionEmbedded vision refers to the integration of computer vision technologies into various embedded systems, devices, or...
InGaAs photodiodeAn InGaAs photodiode refers to a photodetector device that is constructed using a semiconductor material composed of a...
in vitroIn vitro is a Latin term that translates to "in glass." In scientific contexts, particularly in biology and medicine, it...
gallium arsenide injection laserA laser system consisting of a planar PN junction within a single crystal of gallium arsenide. The pair of parallel,...
accelerometerAn accelerometer is a sensor or transducer that measures the rate of change of velocity of an object, or in simpler terms,...
photographic sound recorderA system in which the electrical signal embedded within an audio input signal is converted to a modulated light pattern and...
feedback compensationThe placement of a device or an additional circuit into a feedback control system to improve its response in relation to a...
catoptric systemAn optical system in which the only image-forming elements are curved-surface mirrors; e.g., a Cassegrain lens system.
thermocoupleA device composed of dissimilar metals that, when welded together, develop a small voltage dependent upon the relative...
laser gravimeterMeans of determining the relative motion of a (seismic) mass or acceleration body from a stable laser operated system.
stencil CRT image generationThe projection of the image beam by a cathode-ray tube through a mask, where it is deflected through the suitable character...
atomic timeAny system of time measurement that is based on atomic resonances. The transition times between the hyperfine levels of...
burst mode laserA high-frequency pulse-rate laser with an output limited by the heat capacity of the laser medium. Instead of having...
image correlationA machine vision technique that compares a template of the desired image (the correlation kernel) with the actual camera...
edge responseIntensity distribution in the image of an edge. The gradient of the edge-response curve is a measure of the image quality of...
mirageThe distortion of an object's true image as the result of abnormal atmospheric disturbances along the path traveled by the...
local oscillator laserIn coherent optical communications systems, a laser used at the receiving end to produce a steady wave that is combined with...
polygonal mirrorA polygonal mirror, also known as a multifaceted mirror or facet mirror, is a type of optical component used in various...
Rayleigh prismA prism system designed to produce a very high dispersion of light.
FMCW lidarFMCW lidar stands for frequency-modulated continuous wave lidar. It is a type of lidar (light detection and ranging)...
design and engineering consulting servicesDesign and engineering consulting services refer to professional services provided by specialized firms or individuals to...
attoIn the SI system, prefix meaning 10-18.
proximal scanningTechnique using a fiber optic assembly to illuminate an opaque object and transmit an image back from it without a lens...
entrance slitThe entrance slit, also known simply as the slit, is an essential component in optical instruments such as spectrometers and...
electron-beam gun1. A device generally used in a cathode-ray or camera tube to emit a stream of electrons moving at uniform velocity in a...
tristimulus valuesThe values of the three standard or matching stimuli necessary to provide a match with the light under trial, in a specified...
saccadic motionThe movement of the eye as it focuses on details of a scene. Some imaging systems mimic this movement by small, rapid...
output spectrum displayThe direct computation of the Fourier transform of the space variant system output of an optical processor with a single...
random noiseEssentially, noise that cannot be predicted. Therefore, even if the magnitude of sound or oscillation in a system is known...
moiré topographyContour mapping technique that involves positioning a grating close to an object and observing its shadow on the object...
fold1. A flaw in a blank caused by folding the blank's surface during its formation. 2. The change in the direction of a...
edge-emitting LEDAn edge-emitting light-emitting diode is a type of LED structure where light emission occurs primarily along the edge of the...
baselengthThe distance between pupil centers in a two-pupil system, measured perpendicularly to the optic axis.
magnifying powerThe ability of an optical system to make an object appear larger. An optical element or optical system causing an object to...
ring topologyA system of local area networking in which each node or station is connected to two others, ultimately forming a loop. Data...
closed-circuit television systemA television system that does not broadcast television signals but transmits them over a closed circuit.
deep learningDeep learning is a subset of machine learning that involves the use of artificial neural networks to model and solve complex...
fractalsA method used to generate graphics within a computer system. Rather than dots or lines, fractal graphics work with...
Czerny-Turner designA form of monochromator optical system consisting of two spherical concave mirrors used in conjunction with a movable...
pathogenA pathogen is a biological agent, such as a virus, bacterium, fungus, protozoan, or parasite, that causes disease in its...
combinerA semitransparent mirror in an optical system that combines two or more output beams into a single coaxial beam.
Brillouin scatteringBrillouin scattering is a phenomenon in physics where an incident electromagnetic wave (usually light) interacts with...
infrared beaconAn infrared source, set in a stationary position, that is used as a reference in certain navigational systems.
micron (µm)A unit of length in the metric system equal to one millionth of a meter (10-6 m). Also called micrometer. Abbreviated...
focal plane assemblyAn infrared imaging device composed of a detector array and readout electronics. It may include a cryogenic cooling system....
beamwidthThe angular width of a radiation beam. With respect to a conical beam of light, it is the vertex angle of the cone. The...
machine vision lightingMachine vision lighting refers to the use of specific lighting techniques and equipment in the field of machine vision,...
fire cracksSmall clefts or fissures that penetrate the glass surface in the form of short-hooked crescents. Fire cracks result from a...
thermal-infrared cameraA thermal-infrared camera, often referred to simply as a thermal camera, is a type of imaging device that detects infrared...
Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensorThe Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is an optical device used for measuring the wavefront aberrations of an optical system....
long-pass filterA long-pass filter is an optical filter that allows longer wavelengths of light to pass through while blocking or...
quantumThe term quantum refers to the fundamental unit or discrete amount of a physical quantity involved in interactions at the...
law of reversibilityIn physics, the law of reversibility is often associated with the concept of reversibility in thermodynamics. The law...
photovoltaic cellA photovoltaic cell, commonly known as a solar cell, is a semiconductor device that directly converts light energy into...
microscopyMicroscopy is a scientific technique that involves the use of microscopes to observe and study objects that are too small to...
modulation transfer function analysis/measurement equipmentMTF analysis/measurement equipment refers to instruments and tools used to measure and analyze the modulation transfer...
infraredInfrared (IR) refers to the region of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than those of visible light, but...
dual attachment stationIn a dual-ring local area network, a node that is connected both to the primary, active ring and also to a secondary ring...
Arrhenius plotThe plot that expresses a reaction rate vs. the reciprocal of absolute temperature. Often used to describe the thermal...
optical manufacturing tools and machineryOptical manufacturing tools and machinery encompass a wide range of equipment, instruments, and systems used in the...
coolantA fluid used to decrease the temperature rise produced by friction or other causes.
t numberThe equivalent f number of a fictitious lens that has a circular opening and 100 percent transmittance, which would give 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...
phosphorographyA process used in pyrometry and photothermometry to create a photographic record of a surface's temperature gradients....
fiber optic imaging bundleA fiber optic imaging bundle is a specialized optical device composed of multiple optical fibers bundled together. Each...
thermal dissociationA technique for detecting free radicals by their electronic spectra. The material to be studied is placed in a...
CubeSatA CubeSat is a type of miniaturized satellite characterized by its standardized size and modular design. CubeSats are...
continuous waveContinuous wave (CW) refers to a type of signal or transmission where the signal is constant and does not vary with time. In...
noctovisionA television system used for seeing in the dark, particularly with the use of infrared rays.
homing guidance systemA system of sensors and related instrumentation that allows a navigable object (usually a missile) to locate its destination...
two-photon fluorescenceThis results from the simultaneous absorption of two photons, each having half the energy needed for excitation and...
molecular motorA molecular motor refers to a nano-sized device composed of organic molecules or other small-scale components that can...
edge detectionIn image processing, the location of edges by employing templates that respond to the first or second derivative of...
minimum resolvable temperatureIn a thermal imaging system, the smallest change in blackbody equivalent temperature that can be detected clearly by the...
fiber optic scannerA scanner in which a fiber optic assembly replaces a lens system.
circle of confusionThe image of a point source that appears as a circle of finite diameter because of defocusing or the aberrations inherent in...
orthographic cameraA camera designed with a telecentric optical system and a narrow field of view; the telecentric optical system (placement of...
optical pumpingThe process whereby the number of atoms or atomic systems in a set of energy levels is changed by the absorption of light...
color correctionThe reduction in longitudinal, lateral and secondary chromatic aberrations in a lens or lens system.
optical systemA group of lenses, or any combination of lenses, mirrors and prisms, so constructed as to refract or reflect light to...
photomaskA photomask, also known simply as a mask or reticle, is a key component in the photolithography process used in...
thermogramAlso known as analog thermogram. The resultant photograph, illustrating, in tones ranging from black to white, the spatial...
focal plane arrayA linear or two-dimensional matrix of individual detector elements, typically used at the focus of an imaging system.
x-ray sourceA material or system that emits x-rays.
Seebeck effectCharacteristic of dissimilar metals in thermoelectric solar cells whereby separate junctions exhibiting distinct...
Munsell color systemFounded by professor Albert Munsell. In the field of colorimetry, the Munsell color system is a color space that identifies...
gallium nitrideGallium nitride (GaN) is a compound made up of gallium (Ga) and nitrogen (N). It is a wide-bandgap semiconductor material...
frame1. To center an image or place it in any part of the television screen desired. Also applies to stills. 2. A single image of...
resorptionThe absorption of a material by a medium or system that has formerly been released from absorption by that same medium or...
field repetition rateThe number of fields scanned per second in a television system. The US standard is 60. Also called field frequency.
aptamerAn aptamer is a short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecule that can bind to a specific target molecule with high affinity...
waferIn the context of electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, a wafer refers to a thin, flat disk or substrate made of a...
Lissajous patternThe pattern, formed by a character generation cathode-ray tube system, in which the characters are made up of wave shapes...
end-fire couplingEnd-fire coupling refers to a method of coupling energy into or out of a waveguide, transmission line, or antenna, where the...
additive manufacturingAdditive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is a manufacturing process that involves creating three-dimensional...
receiverA detector and signal demodulator used in optical communications systems to receive a signal and often to translate it into...
evaporagraphA sensor generally used for infrared imaging. It consists of two chambers separated by a thin, blackened membrane. An...
Nichols radiometerAn instrument devised by Nichols and Hull for use in the measurement of radiation pressure. The device has two small...
sidereal timeFrequently used in astronomical measurement, it is based on the diurnal rotation of a star relative to the fixed stellar...
vertical resolutionIn television system specifications, the number of parallel horizontal black and white lines of equal thickness, that can be...
laserA laser, which stands for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation," is a device that produces coherent and...
ferroelectric materialsFerroelectric materials are a type of dielectric materials that exhibit spontaneous electric polarization, meaning they...
periscopeAn optical instrument designed to displace the line of sight in a vertical direction. For submarines and other military uses...
air-to-ground phototransmission systemA category of systems designed to communicate a photo taken from the air (e.g., aircraft, balloon, satellite) to a ground...
Doppler-spread imagingAn imaging process, similar to specific Doppler mapping radar techniques, that utilizes a laser, an optical imaging system,...
well plateA well plate, also known as a microplate or microtiter plate, is a flat plate with multiple small wells or depressions...
condenserA single positive lens or group of lenses used in a projection system to collect light from a source and cause it to...
liquid crystal on siliconLiquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) is a display technology that combines liquid crystal materials with silicon-based...
injection seedingThe use of a small ultrastable master oscillator (a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser) to achieve single-frequency operation of a...
television projectionA television display system in which the television signal is converted to an image that is projected onto either a front or...
creepThe deformation of a material at high levels of stress, often associated with elevated temperatures.
microfluidicsMicrofluidics is a multidisciplinary field that involves the manipulation and control of very small fluid volumes, typically...
optical channel monitorAn optical channel monitor (OCM) is a device used in optical communication systems to monitor and analyze the performance of...
massive opticsOptical components exceeding 24 in. in diameter. The components are usually glass, acrylic or polystyrene and are used for...
laser active elementsLaser active elements typically refers to the substances or materials within a laser system that play a critical role in the...
Mohs hardnessMaterial hardness scale that is used to characterize the scratch resistance of various materials. This surface hardness...
flow cytometryFlow cytometry is a powerful technique used in biology and medicine for the quantitative analysis of the physical and...
diasporometerIn an optical rangefinder, the system of wedges that rotate in opposite directions to aid in the detection of deviation in...
electro-optic radarA radar system that uses electro-optic rather than microwave instrumentation and methods to perform its acquisition and...
logic-to-light deviceA fiber optic component or system designed in such a way that it can be operated by people without specialized knowledge of...
pharyngoscopeAn optical system used to examine the pharynx.
virtual realityVirtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment or experience that can be...
scintillation crystalA scintillation crystal, also known simply as a scintillator, is a material that emits light when it interacts with ionizing...
Raman effectWhen light is transmitted through matter, part of the light is scattered in random directions. A small part of the scattered...
inverted imageAn image that is similar to the object but rotated 180° about the axis of the system.
Maddox rodLenslike composition of stacked glass cylinders through which a spot of light appears as a streak perpendicular to the...
laser dazzle systemVisible laser radiation, often optically expanded and collimated, used to induced temporary blindness from within a walking...
Planck's (radiation) lawThe formula describing the spectral radiant emittance of a perfect blackbody as a function of its temperature and the...
laser cloud mapperA scanning laser radar system applied to transmission and concentration analysis in three dimensions of clouds as well as...
diffraction efficiencyDiffraction efficiency is a measure of how effectively a diffractive optical element (DOE) or diffraction grating directs...
fiducial pointOne or more spots placed in the field of view of an optical system to provide a means of reference.
fluorescenceFluorescence is a type of luminescence, which is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other...
emissivityThe ratio of an object's radiance to that emitted by a blackbody radiator at the same temperature and at the same wavelength.
motion sensingCapacity of a vision system to capture an image of an object in motion and to resolve the direction and speed of that motion.
microreciprocal degreeAn approximated measure of the smallest change in color temperature detectable by the human eye, defined as the reciprocal...
laser cavityA laser cavity, also known as an optical cavity or resonator, is a fundamental component of a laser system. It is a confined...
multiplexingThe combination of two or more signals for transmission along a single wire, path or carrier. In most optical communication...
beam shaperA beam shaper is an optical device or system designed to modify the spatial profile or intensity distribution of a laser or...
integrated photonicsIntegrated photonics is a field of study and technology that involves the integration of optical components, such as lasers,...
metalensA metalens, short for "metasurface lens," is a type of optical lens that uses nanostructured materials to manipulate light...
perfect lensA theoretical, ideal lens capable of producing perfect images. Used as a lens design and analysis tool to image collimated...
polycarbonateA tough, durable, heat- and cold-resistant optical quality plastic used in injection-molded items such as streetlight...
optical testing instrumentAn optical testing instrument is a device or system used to evaluate and measure the performance, quality, and...
holmiumA soft, malleable, stable rare-earth element. Holmium laser systems are used in surgical procedures involving the cutting...
self-phase modulationSelf-phase modulation (SPM) is a nonlinear optical phenomenon that occurs when an intense laser beam passes through a...
photoelectric scannerA system mounted a few inches above a moving plane that consists of a light source, lenses and one or more phototubes. In...
correction wedgeIn rangefinders and height finders, a rotatable or sliding wedge-shaped element used to divert the line of sight precisely...
arc flashAn arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy due to an electric arc — a continuous, high-current discharge of...
waveguideA waveguide is a physical structure or device that is designed to confine and guide electromagnetic waves, such as radio...
optical extentMathematically defined as the product of etendue (or throughput) and the square of the refractive index, the optical extent...
distributed feedback laserA distributed feedback laser (DFB laser) is a type of semiconductor laser diode designed to emit coherent, narrow-bandwidth...
line of sightThe line of vision; the optical axis of a telescope or other observation system. The straight line connecting the object and...
quantum efficiencyQuantum efficiency (QE) is a measure of the effectiveness with which a device or system, typically in the context of...
petaIn the SI system, prefix meaning 1015.
modulation transfer functionAlso called sine wave response and contrast transfer function. The modulation transfer function is the ratio of the...
photorefractive keratectomyA surgical procedure for correcting vision by reshaping the outer surface of the cornea through the use of a laser system.
fiber optic gyroscopeA fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) is a type of gyroscope that uses the interference of light waves to detect changes in...
laser sinteringLaser sintering is an additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing technology that involves using a laser to selectively fuse...
microspectroscopeA system composed of a prism spectroscope and compound microscope to provide the visual comparison of two spectra...
micro-roboticsMicro-robotics refers to the field of robotics that involves the design, development, and application of miniature robotic...
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...
resolving powerA measure of an optical system's ability to produce an image which separates two points or parallel lines on the object. See...
infrared lensAn infrared lens is an optical component specifically designed and optimized for transmitting, focusing, or manipulating...
crystalA solid with a structure that exhibits a basically symmetrical and geometrical arrangement. A crystal may already possess...
aspherizingThe modification of the spherical surfaces in an optical system to correct for spherical aberration.
color temperatureA colorimetric concept related to the apparent visual color of a source (not its temperature). For a blackbody, the color...
phase matchingPhase matching is a crucial concept in the field of optics, particularly in nonlinear optics and the generation of coherent...
piezoelectric motion systemsPiezoelectric motion systems are mechanical systems that utilize piezoelectric materials to generate controlled motion or...
optical switchingOptical switching refers to the process of controlling the routing or transmission of optical signals within a network using...
phononA phonon is a quantum of vibrational energy associated with the periodic motion of atoms or molecules in a crystalline...
inverse bremsstrahlungCollisional absorption of energy that occurs in inertial confinement fusion systems when hydrodynamic expansion of the...
Abbe illuminationImage of a uniform source through the sample of a microscope image system. Light from the sample plane is reimaged by the...
photochemical hole burningA method of producing disks for erasable optical data storage. Information is recorded by a laser beam that generates pits...
electric CO laserAn electrically excited laser having carbon monoxide as the lasing material and in which lasing occurs in a partial...
image contrastAlso referred to as image visibility, the contrast of an image is the variation in the intensity of an image formed by an...
lensless microscopyLensless microscopy, also known as computational or holographic microscopy, is an imaging technique that captures and...
image tube cameraA camera system in which the image formed on the fluorescent screen of an image converter tube in the system is recorded by...
microelectromechanical systemsRefers to micron-size complex machines that have physical dimensions suitable for the fabrication of optical switches for...
diamond turningDiamond turning, also known as diamond machining or diamond cutting, is a precision machining process used to produce...
exit pupilIn a lens or other optical system, the image of the aperture stop as seen from image space.
crystal ovenA temperature-controlled container used to stabilize the temperature and resonant frequency of a crystal found in a...
confocal resonatorA confocal resonator, also known as a confocal cavity or confocal laser resonator, is a type of optical resonator...
superconductorA metal, alloy or compound that loses its electrical resistance at temperatures below a certain transition temperature...
biometricsBiometrics refers to the automated recognition of individuals based on their physiological or behavioral characteristics....
effective beamIn photoelectric sensing, the portion of the transmitted beam that actually functions in the system; the diameter of the...
optical resolutionA measure of image quality produced by an optical system. May be specified in terms of cycles per millimeter, referencing a...
spontaneous emissionRadiation emitted when a quantum mechanical system drops spontaneously from an excited level to a lower level. This...
flux growthA method of synthesis for crystals such as KTP. The process involves the use of a high-temperature solution called flux to...
temperature decay method
tera (T)In the SI system, prefix meaning 1012. (T).
transient calorimetric techniqueA method of measuring total hemispherical emissivity of the plane surface of a solid that consists of thermally isolating a...
3D laser triangulation3D Laser Triangulation - A technology that allows sensors to probe the surroundings. Laser triangulation systems have an...
infrared cameraAn infrared camera, also known as a thermal imaging camera or IR camera, is a device that captures and visualizes the...
split-image microscopeA mask-alignment microscope used to produce and inspect microcircuits in the electronics industry. It provides flat-field,...
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...
calibrated wedgeAn optical wedge in which transmittance or density is a function of the location of the wedge, relative to a specific...
phase-shift keyingA method of coding information in a communications system where the shift in the phase of an electromagnetic wave represents...
optical noiseOptical noise refers to undesirable fluctuations or disturbances in an optical signal that can affect the quality or...
servomechanismA closed-loop system that is constantly adjusted in response to input signals generated within the system.
half bandwidthThe term half bandwidth (HBW) generally refers to the width of a spectral band or frequency range at half of its maximum...
stroke patternThe pattern formed by a character generation cathode-ray tube system, in which the characters are composed of a sequence of...
speckle patternA power intensity pattern produced by the mutual interference of partially coherent beams that are subject to minute...
incandescenceThe emission of light by thermal radiation of a temperature high enough to render the source of radiation visible.
delta errorThe term delta error (delta-E) generally refers to the difference or change in error between two values or states. The word...
peripheralNear the boundary or edge of the field of an optical system; the outer fringe.
radioactive tracerA radioactive element that is placed or injected into a system to obtain an autoradiogram of the system. It is used in a...
helmet-mounted displayA compact optical projection system, mounted on or built into a helmet, and used to project data or a scene directly into...
wedge ring detectorA diffraction pattern sampling unit composed of a 32-element monolithic silicon photodiode array and a readout unit. The...
lumenA lumen is a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of luminous flux, which is the perceived power of light. In...
front-cell focusingA method of focusing an optical system by moving the front component (the lens closest to the subject) to change the...
aspheric lensAn aspheric lens is a type of lens whose surface profiles deviate from the traditional spherical shape. Unlike spherical...
mesoscopeIn the field of optics and imaging, a mesoscope refers to an optical instrument that is designed to observe and capture...
mode partitioningThe pulse-to-pulse fluctuations in power distribution among modes of a Fabry-Perot laser, which can result in...
parcenteredDescription of an optical system in which all the elements are aligned on the same axis.
diffuserAn optical diffuser is an optical component or material designed to scatter or diffuse light that passes through it. It is...
lateral shearing interferometerA lateral shearing interferometer is an optical device used in interferometry to measure phase differences between two beams...
infrared light sourceAn infrared light source is a device that emits light in the infrared spectrum, which lies beyond the visible spectrum of...
thermoplastic cementAn adhesive whose viscosity decreases as the temperature is increased to a limit. Canada balsam, resin and pitch are...
total internal reflection fluorescenceTotal internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is an advanced fluorescence microscopy technique that leverages the...
population inversionThe condition in which there are more atomic systems in the upper of two energy levels than in the lower, so stimulated...
hard elasticsHigh-modulus elastic fibers that exhibit the following differences from conventional elastic fibers: Increasing temperature...
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...
cold fingerA cryogenically cooled component incorporated into the Dewar of an infrared detector assembly to maintain the sensing...
micro (µ)In the SI system, prefix meaning one-millionth, 10-6. Abbreviated µ.
carbonizationCarbonization is a process in which organic materials are heated in the absence of air, leading to the decomposition of the...
optical camouflageThe use of retroreflective projection technology (RPT) to project a background image onto a masked object, such as a vehicle...
fiber-coupled photoconductive antennaA fiber-coupled photoconductive antenna (FCPA) is a type of optoelectronic device that combines a photoconductive antenna...
compactingThe heat-treating method in which the index of refraction of glass is fixed near or at its maximum value by holding the...
underwater photographyThe field of photography concerned with the recording of subjects beneath the water with a watertight, water-resistant...
meta-opticsMeta-optics, also known as metasurface optics or flat optics, is a branch of optics that involves the design, fabrication,...
color temperature meterA device containing two photocells behind deep red and blue filters to measure color temperatures. The amplifier gain is...
beam benderA mirror used to manipulate the beam in a laser system.
spectral repeatabilitySpectral repeatability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of spectral measurements across multiple trials or...
laser diode moduleA laser diode module is a compact device that incorporates a laser diode, optics, and often other components into a single...
detector arrayA detector array refers to a collection of individual detector elements arranged in a two-dimensional grid or matrix format....
reticleA reticle, also known as a reticule or graticule, is a pattern or set of markings placed in the focal plane of an optical...
trinoscopeA color-television viewing system with three kinescopes, three lenses and three deflection yokes used to form the red, green...
fiber optic cable assemblyA fiber optic cable assembly refers to a complete unit consisting of optical fibers, connectors, protective jackets, and...
rasterThe pattern of lines traced by rectilinear scanning in display systems.
contact fluidA liquid, usually of a specific refractive index and dispersion, serving as an interface between two solids to form a...
broadband dielectric mirrorsBroadband dielectric mirrors, also known as broadband mirrors, are optical coatings designed to efficiently reflect or...
zettaIn the SI system, prefix meaning 1021. (Z).
Boys cameraA camera system for recording lightning.
point cloudA point cloud is a set of data points in a three-dimensional coordinate system, where each point represents a specific...
erect imageAn image, real or virtual, whose spatial orientation is identical to that of the object. The image obtained at the retina...
ternary notationRefers to a notation system using a base of 3 and the numerical characters 0, 1 and 2.
inertial confinement fusionInertial confinement fusion (ICF) is a method of achieving nuclear fusion, a process where two atomic nuclei combine to...
acousto-optic modulators and deflectorsAn acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is a device that utilizes the interaction between sound waves and light waves to modulate...
enclosed laser deviceA laser or laser system positioned within an enclosure to prevent dangerous optical radiation from leaving the enclosure.
relay condenserA form of lens assembly used in a projection system to maximize efficiency and assure uniform illumination of the object...
optical profilerAlso known as a white-light interferometer. Measures surface texture and shape from nanometer-scale roughness to...
insertion lossThe total optical power loss caused by the insertion of an optical component such as a connector, splice or coupler into a...
Foucault rotating mirrorA rotating mirror coupled with a distant mirror and used in a system by Foucault to compute the velocity of light. Light...
conversion efficiencyIn a pumped laser system, the ratio of output energy to pump energy.
tracking1. The process of following an object's movement; accomplished by focusing a radar beam on the reticle of an optical system...
telluriumThe material favored for study of interaction of high-acoustic intensities with free carriers. Tellurium is the...
exciter filterIn ultraviolet and fluorescence photography, the term applied to the filter used in the photographic system and with the...
coherent communicationsA fiber optic communications system that works on the principles of homodyning or heterodyning. The transmitting laser...
quantum-ehanced metrologyQuantum-enhanced metrology refers to the use of quantum mechanics principles and techniques to enhance the precision and...
beaconageA system of beacons used in navigation.
optical repeaterIn an optical fiber or waveguide communications system, an optoelectronic device or module that receives an optical signal,...
infrared alarm systemA system that uses infrared detectors and related instrumentation to determine when abnormal amounts of infrared radiation,...
laser welderA system that uses the heat from a pulsed laser to weld metals. Because of the rapidity and localization in which the...
unmanned aerial vehicleAn unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot onboard. UAVs are remotely...
diopterA unit of optical measurement that expresses the refractive power of a lens or prism. In a lens or lens system, it is the...
ground stateAlso known as ground level. The lowest energy level of an atom or atomic system. A material in the ground state is not...
projection thermographyThe measurement of surface temperature by a thermograph that forms a pattern of the heat radiated by the surface on a...
collimation1. The process of aligning the optical axes of optical systems to the reference mechanical axes or surfaces of an...
crystal spectrographA system that applies a crystal as a diffracting agent to photograph the spectrum.
imagery rectificationPhotogrammetric compensation for incidental camera movement (which prevents attainment of true vertical photographs) whereby...
afocalAn optical system with object and image points at infinity. Literally, "without a focal length."
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...
metasurfacesMetasurfaces are two-dimensional arrays of subwavelength-scale artificial structures, often referred to as meta-atoms or...
horizontal travelThe rotation of an instrument (or the line of sight of an optical system) in a horizontal plane; transverse.
circular dichroism spectroscopyA type of spectroscopy used extensively in the analysis of biological samples. Because most biologically synthesized...
event-based sensorAn event-based image sensor, also known as a dynamic vision sensor (DVS), is a type of digital imaging device designed to...
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,...
turbulence propagation mediumSimulation of atmospheric turbulence for laboratory experimentation purposes, achieved by creating an unstable vertical...
image opticsAny form of lens, optical system (camera, telescope, microscope, etc.), or opto-electronics utilized for the purpose of...
emission spectrumAn emission spectrum is a graphical representation or a characteristic pattern of the wavelengths or frequencies of light...
narcissusA defect in infrared systems that appears as a dark circular area on a displayed image, caused by radiation reflecting into...
grapheneGraphene is a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal...
internet of thingsThe internet of things (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other objects...
optical path differenceThe relative path difference (or phase shift) traveled between two rays that pass through different mediums from the same...
apparent movementThe visual perception of motion when fixed stimuli are exposed in rapid temporal and spatial succession.
adaptive opticsAdaptive optics (AO) is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effects of...
functional near-infrared spectroscopyFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that measures changes in hemoglobin...
relative apertureThe ratio of the diameter of the entrance pupil in an optical system to the equivalent focal length of that system. The...
oscillographAn instrument used to record rapidly varying currents or voltages. An oscillograph may consist of a cathode-ray tube...
error functionA single number, defined by the computer program or the user that expresses the performance of an optical system. Also known...
neuromorphic vision sensorA neuromorphic vision sensor is a type of imaging device designed to mimic the structure and functioning of the human visual...
coherence lengthThat length over which energy in two separate waves remains constant. With respect to a laser, the greatest distance between...
forward-looking infraredA night-vision device that uses one or more infrared transducers to scan a scene in the 3- to 5-µm or 8- to...
photocoagulatorAn optical medical instrument that uses an intense, precisely focused beam of light to stop weakened blood vessels from...
threshold currentThe minimum driving current corresponding to lasing threshold at a specified temperature. (Ith).
CIE systemMethodology for specifying color based on the CIE sources, observers, and coordinate system.
direct laser interference patterningAlso called DLIP, a high-speed, high-resolution processing technique that uses high-power, pulsed laser systems to directly...
GRIN lensA GRIN (gradient index) lens is a type of optical lens that utilizes a gradient in refractive index across its volume rather...
underwater television systemA television system designed to obtain pictures of objects or scenes beneath the surface of the water. Generally, a...
nanotubeA nanotube, also known as a nanotubule or simply a tube-like structure, is a nanoscale cylindrical structure composed of...
cameraA light-tight box that receives light from an object or scene and focuses it to form an image on a light-sensitive material...
optical Fourier transformThe optical Fourier transform is a mathematical operation applied to optical signals that involves transforming a spatial...
Angstrom compensation pyrheliometerA system used for measuring direct solar radiation.
thermionic emissionThe emission of free electrons by a rise in temperature of the cathode alone.
constant deviationThat property of certain optical devices, e.g., a penta prism, that maintains the angular relationship between the entering...
transmission electron microscopeA transmission electron microscope (TEM) is a powerful microscopy technique that uses a beam of electrons to create...
lock-in amplifierA lock-in amplifier is a specialized electronic instrument used to extract and measure small signals embedded in noise or...
magneto-opticsMagneto-optics refers to the study and manipulation of the interaction between magnetic fields and light (electromagnetic...
launch numerical apertureThe numerical aperture of an optical system used to couple (launch) power into an optical waveguide.
Seidel aberrationsSeidel aberrations refer to a set of monochromatic aberrations in optical systems, named after the German mathematician and...
infrared detectorAn infrared detector is a device that is used to detect and measure infrared radiation, which lies beyond the visible...
crystallized glassGlass of special composition that is melted, formed into desired shapes, and subjected to a high-temperature treatment in...
facsimile chartData gathered by a facsimile system and converted into graphic, readable form; generally used in meteorology. Also known as...
cryospectroscopyThe spectrographic analysis of matter that is in a cooled state. Generally, a mechanical refrigerator is used to lower the...
bias buildupDegradation factor in coherent light systems where the amplitude of the recorded signal is decreased as the number of object...
q-switched operationQ-switched operation, or q-switching, is a technique used in lasers to produce short and intense pulses of light. The term...
optical filterAn optical filter is a device that selectively transmits or blocks specific wavelengths, or colors, of light. Optical...
optical transfer functionThe function that characterizes the quality of an optical system by denoting the modulation and spatial phase shift of the...
fiber-linked array image formatterA wide-field multiobject spectroscopy system used in astronomy, in which a bundle of low-loss optical fibers positioned on...
emissive powerThe emissivity of a body times the emissive power of a blackbody at the same temperature. For a blackbody, it is the total...
aspheric mirrorAn aspheric mirror is an optical mirror surface that deviates from the shape of a perfect sphere, having a non-spherical...
stereoscopic televisionA television system in which the images produced appear three-dimensional.
newton (N)The unit of force in the mks system that will give 1 kg of mass an acceleration of 1 m/s2.
diaphragmA flanged or plain ring with a restricted aperture, located in an optical system at any of several points, that cuts off...
optically compensating zoom systemA variable focal length lens system that retains the object in focus as one or more lenses move as a unit along its optical...
automatic optical inspectionA system for automatic industrial process control or measurement, consisting of an optical module for image acquisition, a...
silver-disc pyrheliometerAn instrument that uses a blackened silver-disc reflector with a shutter to create temperature fluctuations that are...
fiber opticsThe use of thin flexible glass or plastic fibers as wave guides — or "light pipes" — to channel light from one...
advanced tactical air reconnaissance systemAn aerial reconnaissance system that can transmit, in near real time, image data recorded by IR and visual-spectrum sensors,...
direct viewfinderA viewfinder whose optical system forms a direct image of a subject, as opposed to those systems that use reflectance in the...
audiovisualConcerned with the transmission and reception of both sight and sound. An audiovisual system communicates pictorial images...
flame excitationThe use of high temperatures, between 2000 and 3000 °C, to excite emission lines from a sample in spectroscopic...
infrared scannerAn optical system used to collect infrared energy from a scene using scanning optics with a point or line detector, as...
kiloIn the SI system, prefix meaning one thousand, 103.
enhanced picture archiving and communication system displayEnhanced picture archiving and communication system (PACS) display (ePAD) is a software tool used in medical imaging to...
symmetrical lensA lens system made up of two sets of similar lenses, each of which compensates for many of the aberrations produced by the...
nonlinear optical materialsNonlinear optical materials are substances that exhibit optical properties that are not linearly proportional to the...
glass annealing furnaceA furnace, generally electrically heated, with a control system capable of following a cam by which the temperature can be...
helium leak detectorA small mass spectrometer used to find leaks in a vacuum system by detecting the presence of helium. Using a magnetic...
transmitter central wavelength rangeThe central wavelength range of a transmitter based on the worst-case scenarios of temperature, manufacturing and other...
nonlinear opticsNonlinear optics is a branch of optics that studies the optical phenomena that occur when intense light interacts with a...
stadimetryThe determination of distance based upon the known size of an object and the size of its image at the image plane of an...
retroreflectorA retroreflector is an optical device or structure that reflects incident light or electromagnetic waves back to their...
data busA system incorporated into fiber optic data communications characterized by several spatially distributed terminals that are...
cold-light illuminationA means of illumination from which the infrared component has been removed by absorption or reflection filters within the...
stabilized light sourceA light source that does not fluctuate despite temperature changes.
photometryPhotometry is the branch of science that deals with the measurement of light, particularly in terms of its intensity and the...
remote sensingRemote sensing is a method of data collection and observation where information about objects, areas, or phenomena on...
heat equationA calorimetric calculation from which the temperature vs. time dependence of any point on a sample can be determined,...
real-time processingThe ability of a vision system to interpret an image in a short enough time to keep pace with most operations.
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...
noiseThe unwanted and unpredictable fluctuations that distort a received signal and hence tend to obscure the desired message....
virtual imageAn image that is formed when rays emerging from an optical system are diverging from the optical axis. The virtual image is...
grindingThe process in the manufacture of an optical system that gives it the required geometric shape.
freeform mirrorsFreeform mirrors refer to reflective optical components that deviate from traditional symmetric or rotationally symmetric...
read-write capabilityIn an optical data storage system, denoting the optical head's ability both to record information and to detect it for...
effective aperture1. That portion of the aperture that functions to collect energy and deliver it to the final system detector. 2. For an...
fusingThe permanent uniting of two glass pieces by high-temperature heating.
negative ghostA ghost image that has the reverse lightness relations of the original image. This phenomenon is a common optical illusion...
reflectiveThe term reflective is an adjective that describes the ability of a surface or material to reflect light or other forms of...
radiation temperatureThe temperature of a complete radiator that has a total radiant emittance identical to that of an unknown resource.
thermophotovoltaicThermophotovoltaic (TPV) refers to a technology that converts heat energy into electricity using the principles of...
Matrix opticsThe linear relationship between input and output optical fields for a given optical system or application that allows the...
turnkey systemA system that is complete and self-contained, needing no further additions to permit its operation.
axial gradient technologyA method of designing lasers whereby the laser rod is cut into elliptical discs and cooled by running water over the disc...
electro-optic modulatorAn electro-optic modulator (EOM) is a device used to modulate the amplitude, phase, or polarization of light waves using an...
transmission lossThe decrease in power that occurs when an optical beam or signal is transmitted through a system.
inertial fusion energyInertial fusion energy (IFE) refers to a proposed method of generating electricity by harnessing the energy released from...
aerial reconnaissanceThe use of optical or electronic recording systems to extract information from the terrain, while aloft, for reconnaissance...
qubitA qubit, short for quantum bit, is the fundamental unit of information in quantum computing and quantum information...
detector-Dewar assemblyA detector-Dewar assembly typically refers to a combination of a detector and a Dewar flask used in scientific instruments,...
frame rateFrame rate refers to the frequency at which consecutive images, or frames, are displayed in a video sequence. It is...
quantum noiseNoise generated within an optical communications system link that has both internal (dark current) and external (background...
rangefinder1. An optical distance finder that depends on triangulation of two convergent beams on an object from disparate view points....
film planeThe site behind the lens system in a camera where photographic media are positioned for exposure.
pincushion distortionAn aberration of a lens system caused by an increase in lens focal length as the field angle increases. The amount of...
coefficient of thermal expansionA numerical representation of the rate at which a material will exhibit dimensional changes as a direct result of changes in...
active infrared systemimaging system which clearly shows the IR signals in the field of view as well as ambient environment
optofluidicsOptofluidics is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from optics and fluidics to create devices and systems...
fluorophosphate glassA special laser glass made primarily of fluoride compounds that exhibits extremely low refractive index and allows greater...
solar simulatorA solar simulator is a device used to replicate the spectrum and intensity of sunlight in a controlled environment for...
diffraction limitedThe property of an optical system whereby only the effects of diffraction determine the quality of the image it produces.
Franck-Condon principleThe principle that electronic energy transitions occur at such speeds that the nuclei of the atoms in the molecular system...
magneto-optic storageA specific type of storage in which the material to be written on is heated above its transition temperature and switched in...
imageIn optics, an image is the reconstruction of light rays from a source or object when light from that source or object is...
focus lampAn incandescent or carbon arc lamp designed with a stable and compact arc or filament that permits it to be used as a light...
pushbroom scanningPushbroom scanning is a technique used in remote sensing and imaging systems, particularly in satellite and aerial sensors,...
aplanatic surfaceAn aplanatic surface is an optical surface that is specifically designed or shaped to minimize spherical aberration and...
minimum object distanceMinimum object distance, often abbreviated as MOD, refers to the closest distance at which a camera lens or optical system...
polaritonA polariton is a quasiparticle resulting from the strong coupling between photons (light particles) and certain types of...
laser driftLaser drift typically refers to a phenomenon where the frequency or wavelength of a laser source gradually changes over...
laser texturingLaser texturing is a manufacturing process that involves using a laser beam to selectively modify the surface of a material,...
microfilm systemA camera copying system that can reduce originals onto 35- or 16-mm film for easy storage.
atom opticsThe area of optics in which the wave nature of a particle is exploited to carry out very accurate interferometry and other...
photonicsThe technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The...
cesium-antimonide photocathodeA photocathode that exhibits maximum sensitivity in the blue and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. The sensitivity is...
attosecond photonics sourcesAttosecond photonics sources refer to devices or systems that generate extremely short pulses of light on the order of...
temporal Fourier hologramA technique used to suppress extreme noise amplification during digital image reconstruction that relies on smoothing and...
image transducerAny arrangement of a bundle of optical fibers that alters the shape of the image. For example, by systematic regulation of...
anisotropyAnisotropy refers to the property of exhibiting different values or characteristics when measured in different directions....
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...
FTIR spectrometerFTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectrometer is a powerful analytical instrument used to obtain an infrared spectrum of...
Geiger counterAlso called Geiger-Müller counter. An instrument designed to detect and measure radioactivity through the use of a...
temperature-sensitive coatingA coating having pigments that change color when exposed to heat. This effect has been widely used to monitor hot spots in...
photoelectric spectrophotometerA system that consists of a spectrophotometer with a photoelectric detector for measurement of radiant energy.
gamma correctionModification of a system to provide for a linear transfer characteristic from an input to an output device. A circuit for...
acousto-optic deflectorA system designed with a laser as a light source and a means for producing sound waves extending beyond 100 MHz to deflect...
automated optical inspectionAutomated optical inspection (AOI) is a technology used in manufacturing processes, particularly in electronics, to...
Rogovsky coilConductor element for use in integrated electro-optic systems that measures current flowing through it.
polysulfone resinA thermoplastic, self-extinguishing polymer with excellent high-temperature, low-creep and arc resistance properties.
incomplete radiatorA thermal source that emits less radiation than a blackbody under identical temperature conditions.
holographic crystal growth analysisThe study of crystal growth from the molten stage utilizing a holographic system wherein interferometric techniques record...
MTF optimizationComputerized lens design algorithm that permits the lens MTF characteristic to be included and controlled during the...
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...
blackbody sourceA blackbody source, often simply referred to as a blackbody, is a theoretical or practical physical object that absorbs all...
computer-integrated manufacturingThe use of computer systems for monitoring and controlling industrial production.
Deslandres diagramA diagram in which the variable frequencies of a spectral band system are plotted corresponding to ascending values of the...
Curie temperatureThe temperature above which a ferromagnetic material becomes only paramagnetic.
damped least squaresAn organizational method used in optical design computer programs. The technique produces one number (merit function) to...
gun cameraA camera accurately aligned to a weapons system to provide a photographic record of system performance.
fiber optic field flattenerA plate consisting of fused optical fibers with both surfaces ground and polished, and having the entrance surface curved to...
electron image tubeA cathode-ray tube that increases the brightness or size of an image or forms a visible image from invisible radiation. The...
adiabatic processA process during which no heat enters or leaves the system.
heat-resistant glassGlass that has been specially treated so that it will not shatter when exposed to high temperatures followed by immediate...
optical time-domain reflectometerAn optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is a specialized instrument used in optical fiber communications to characterize...
National Television Systems CommitteeThe code used to describe the United States system of color telecasting.
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...
color conversion filterA filter that serves to alter the color temperature and the mired value of the radiation emitted by a source.
prismatic spectrumThe spectrum formed by a dispersing prism or a dispersing prism system.
resonanceResonance can be defined in various contexts, including physics, chemistry, and music. Here are definitions for resonance in...
optical design softwareOptical design software refers to specialized computer programs used by optical engineers, physicists, and designers to...
skew angleThe angle at which photoelectric sensors are aligned to prevent light from being reflected back to the sensor from the...
spatial resolutionSpatial resolution refers to the level of detail or granularity in an image or a spatial dataset. It is a measure of the...
frame frequencyThe number of times per second that the frame of a television system is completely scanned. In the United States, 30 per...
advanced driver assistance systemsAdvanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) refers to a set of safety features and technologies designed to assist drivers in...
image inverterA system of elements which rotates the optical image with respect to the optical axis by a factor of pi radians.
Airy discThe central peak (including everything interior to the first zero or dark ring) of the focal diffraction pattern of a...
linear opticsLinear optics refers to the study and manipulation of light in a linear and deterministic manner, where the response of...
tetartohedral crystalThe section of crystal symmetry having only one-quarter of the greatest number of faces permitted by the crystal system of...
numerical apertureThe sine of the vertex angle of the largest cone of meridional rays that can enter or leave an optical system or element,...
aspheric lens systemAn optical system having one or more lens or mirror components that have nonspherical surfaces. These surfaces, whether...
in vivoIn vivo is a Latin term that translates to "within the living." In scientific contexts, particularly in biology and...
rarefactionIn a gas, the temporary drop in density caused by contact with a sound wave.
single-molecule spectroscopyAn advanced technique that allows the detection of one molecule within a crystal or a cell through optical excitation....
optical fiberOptical fiber is a thin, flexible, transparent strand or filament made of glass or plastic used for transmitting light...
color comparator1. A device used in chemistry to compare the colors of solutions held in flat-bottomed tubes and viewed along the length of...
anamorphicA term used to denote a difference in magnification along mutually perpendicular meridians. Anamorphic systems are basically...
laser designatorA laser device used to establish a location or target usually for detection by an impact source e.g. missiles and guided...
heat exchangerA type of cooling system in which one fluid is used to carry heat off another without direct contact between the two.
reflecting objectiveAn image-forming system that uses mirrors rather than lenses. Such objectives are frequently used for astronomical...
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