ions Dictionary Terms
atomic clockAn atomic clock is a highly precise timekeeping device that uses the vibrations or oscillations of atoms as a reference for...
fusion ignitionFusion ignition refers to the point in a controlled nuclear fusion reaction where the energy released by the fusion...
vacuum spectrographA spectrograph that functions in a vacuum and therefore eliminates any air-absorption of the emission being surveyed.
x-ray astronomyThe study of the celestial bodies, relative to x-ray emission. Satellites launched to study x-ray sources have revealed many...
comaA lens aberration, resulting from different magnifications in the various lens zones, that occurs in that part of the image...
molecular spectroscopySpectrum analysis concerned with the spectra formed by transitions in molecules.
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,...
atmospheric turbulenceIrregularities and disturbances in the atmosphere that are of particular interest because they induce random temporal and...
total internal reflection fluorescenceTotal internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is an advanced fluorescence microscopy technique that leverages the...
adaptometerAn apparatus used to determine the degree of adaptation of the eye under different conditions.
landIn a CD-ROM disc, the reflective area between nonreflective pits representing a binary-language "off'' as opposed to...
inertial fusion energyInertial fusion energy (IFE) refers to a proposed method of generating electricity by harnessing the energy released from...
Raman effectWhen light is transmitted through matter, part of the light is scattered in random directions. A small part of the scattered...
optical microphoneLaser-powered telephone device for analog communications that employs a vibrating plastic membrane as a transmitter to...
phototheodoliteA camera equipped with angular scales in altitude and azimuth. The scale readings are imprinted on the film when an exposure...
aerial reconnaissanceThe use of optical or electronic recording systems to extract information from the terrain, while aloft, for reconnaissance...
nodeIn a communications network, a point at which data are received or from which they are sent. Though the term often is used...
microphotonicsThe technology of manipulating light on a micro scale. In optical communications, this is usually accomplished using two or...
directed energyDirected energy refers to a type of energy that is emitted and transferred in a controlled direction. The term is often...
Mach bandsThe illusory appearance of a light or dark band at a line of brightness contrast that enhances the edge between the two...
piezoelectric motion systemsPiezoelectric motion systems are mechanical systems that utilize piezoelectric materials to generate controlled motion or...
lab-on-a-chipA lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a miniaturized device that integrates various laboratory functions and capabilities onto a single,...
APD detectorAn APD detector, or avalanche photodiode detector, is a type of photodetector used to detect light or optical signals by...
laser active elementsLaser active elements typically refers to the substances or materials within a laser system that play a critical role in the...
optical fiberOptical fiber is a thin, flexible, transparent strand or filament made of glass or plastic used for transmitting light...
standard thermal profileIn infrared imaging systems used for mass screening of printed circuit boards or other quality control applications, an...
mode beatingIn optics, "mode beating" refers to an interference phenomenon that can occur in laser systems with multiple longitudinal...
Mach-Zehnder interferometerA Mach-Zehnder interferometer is an optical device used to measure the phase difference between two collimated beams of...
Eberhard effectObserved phenomenon of a small developed image with higher density than a larger image because of variation in photographic...
end-fire couplingEnd-fire coupling refers to a method of coupling energy into or out of a waveguide, transmission line, or antenna, where the...
resonanceResonance can be defined in various contexts, including physics, chemistry, and music. Here are definitions for resonance in...
otoscopeAn otoscope is a medical device used by healthcare professionals, particularly ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists,...
enantiomerA molecule that is the mirror image of another molecule. The two mirror-image molecules have the same chemical properties;...
artificial radioactivityRadioactivity formed by the bombardment of stable elements by either neutrons or high-energy, charged particles under...
stoichiometryThe determination of what, how much and in what proportions chemicals must be combined to produce the desired reactions and...
diamond turningDiamond turning, also known as diamond machining or diamond cutting, is a precision machining process used to produce...
effective beamIn photoelectric sensing, the portion of the transmitted beam that actually functions in the system; the diameter of the...
surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopySurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an analytical technique that combines the principles of Raman spectroscopy...
organic dyeAny organic substance, that when dissolved in appropriate liquid based solvents will absorb and emit electromagnetic...
process controlThe collection and analysis of data relevant to monitoring the rate and quality of industrial production, either...
crystal fieldThe electrostatic field acting locally within a crystal as a result of the microscopic arrangement of atoms and ions in the...
time-to-amplitude converterA time-to-amplitude converter (TAC) is an electronic circuit that converts a time interval between two events into an...
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopyThat branch of spectroscopy that applies to the study of interactions between energy and atomic nuclei. The simultaneous...
horizontal temperature gradientsHorizontal concentrations that comprise the dominant factor in atmospheric gradient correction. The range bias near due...
fluctuation spectroscopyA technique developed to measure the molecular weight of macromolecules by analyzing the spontaneous fluctuations that occur...
dichroismDichroism refers to the property of certain materials to exhibit different colors or absorbance of light depending on the...
Fizeau fringesFizeau fringes are interference fringes observed in an interferometer, specifically in a Fizeau interferometer. The Fizeau...
depth of convergenceA critical image parameter in applications where object position may change dynamically relative to the imager; this is a...
plasmonicsPlasmonics is a field of science and technology that focuses on the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and free...
color facsimile transmissionThe transmission of a color photograph by separating the colors into varying intensities of red, blue and green, and then...
structured lightThe projection of a plane or grid pattern of light onto an object. It can be used for the determination of three-dimensional...
epitaxialEpitaxial refers to the growth of a crystalline layer on a crystalline substrate in such a way that the orientation of the...
quantum wellA quantum well is a structure in quantum mechanics that confines particles, such as electrons or holes, in one spatial...
Fresnel reflectionFresnel reflection refers to the reflection of light at the interface between two different media with different refractive...
chemical vapor deposition equipmentChemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment refers to a class of specialized apparatus used in the process of chemical vapor...
logic circuitA computer circuit that supplies the action of problem-solving functions or operations.
ductingPropagation of electromagnetic waves through the Earth's atmosphere in a path that conforms to the curvature of the Earth...
3D printing3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is a manufacturing process that builds three-dimensional objects...
calorimetryCalorimetry is a branch of science that involves the measurement of heat flow in physical or chemical processes. It...
ionization chamberA closed vessel with electrodes of different potentials that is used to determine how much ionization took place in a gas...
short wavelength infraredShort wavelength infrared (SWIR) refers to the portion of the infrared spectrum that encompasses wavelengths roughly between...
fluorescenceFluorescence is a type of luminescence, which is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other...
excimer laserAn excimer laser is a type of ultraviolet laser that emits short pulses of light in the ultraviolet spectrum. The term...
thermocoupleA device composed of dissimilar metals that, when welded together, develop a small voltage dependent upon the relative...
photovoltaic cellA photovoltaic cell, commonly known as a solar cell, is a semiconductor device that directly converts light energy into...
orthographic cameraA camera designed with a telecentric optical system and a narrow field of view; the telecentric optical system (placement of...
color photographic filmFilm that produces color negatives or transparencies by the use of three emulsions, one coated over the other, that are each...
confocal scanning microscopeA microscope design that involves apertures inserted in conjugate plane positions inside the microscope, with one aperture...
twin crystalA compound crystal having two or more crystals or crystal sections that, when regularly positioned, are in reverse position...
ionosphereThe gas of charged particles that begins approximately 50 km above the surface of the Earth and contains a sufficient...
composite videoA type of video signal in which the luminance and chrominance portions of the signal, or the luma and chroma, have been...
pumping bandA group of energy levels to which ions in the ground state are initially excited when pumping radiation is applied to a...
ion emissionThe ejecting of ions from the surface of a material.
flow cameraAn automatic camera that can record reduced images of documents at a rate of up to 30,000 documents per hour by having the...
three-photon microscopyThree-photon microscopy is an advanced imaging technique that belongs to the family of multi-photon microscopy methods. It...
magnetorheological finishingMagnetorheological finishing (MRF) is a precision optics polishing technique used for shaping and finishing optical surfaces...
Lambert's cosine lawFlux per unit solid angle leaving a surface in any direction is proportional to the cosine of the angle between that...
laser cavityA laser cavity, also known as an optical cavity or resonator, is a fundamental component of a laser system. It is a confined...
ellipsometryEllipsometry is an optical technique used to characterize the properties of thin films and surfaces. It is based on the...
RuticonA ruticon is an opto-electronic device in which light going through it can be modulated by an electric field.
The...
optical theoremA fundamental law of wave scattering theory that connects the extinction cross section of a scatterer to the real part of...
quantum dot light-emitting diodeQuantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) is a display technology that utilizes quantum dots, which are semiconductor...
whole slide imagingWhole slide imaging (WSI), also known as virtual slide microscopy or digital pathology, is a technology that involves the...
Kerr effectThe Kerr effect, named after the physicist John Kerr who first observed it in 1875, is a nonlinear optical phenomenon where...
geometric imageThe position and shape of the image of a point source, as predicted by geometric optics alone. The geometric image is to be...
suprathermal ion detectorA mass spectrometer used to detect ions formed by photo- and charge-exchange ionization of gases, such as those in the lunar...
proof-of-concept systemAn assembly of prototype instruments, equipment and/or software designed to perform all the functions of a concept or idea...
erbium-doped fiber amplifierAn optical fiber that can be used to amplify an optical input. Erbium rare earth ions are added to the fiber core material...
red, green, blueRGB stands for red, green, blue, which are the primary colors of light used in additive color mixing. The RGB color model is...
light filterA homogeneous optical medium or coating that transmits only in particular regions of the spectrum. It is used to change or...
dispersionDispersion refers to the phenomenon where different wavelengths (colors) of light travel at different speeds when passing...
aspheric lensAn aspheric lens is a type of lens whose surface profiles deviate from the traditional spherical shape. Unlike spherical...
input/outputI/O stands for input/output. In computing, it refers to the communication between a computer system or program and its...
apochromatAn apochromat, often referred to as an apochromatic lens or apochromatic objective, is a type of optical system designed to...
thin lensA concept used for purposes of preliminary calculations and analysis. In theory it is a lens whose axial thickness is zero.
liquid marbleLiquid marble refers to a unique form of microscale liquid encapsulation, where small droplets of liquid are coated with a...
pinhole eyepieceA type of eyepiece, or the modification of an eyepiece, in which a small hole, without a lens, functions as the eye lens;...
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...
transitionThe process whereby a quantum mechanical system alters from one energy level to another. During this process, energy is...
digital holographic microscopyDigital holographic microscopy (DHM) is an advanced imaging technique that combines holography and digital image processing...
micro-optical coherence tomographyMicro-optical coherence tomography (micro-OCT) is an imaging technique that is an adaptation of optical coherence tomography...
mixed-signal oscilloscopeA mixed-signal oscilloscope (MSO) is a type of electronic test instrument that combines the capabilities of both a...
collisional excitationA method of lasing in which free electrons in a laser-produced plasma collide with neonlike ions to excite electrons to...
spectrochemical equipmentEquipment used for chemical analysis by investigation of the spectra formed and observed in chemical activity. Of particular...
planar magnetronA device used in the sputtering of thin films, in which a magnet system on the back of the cathode deflects the electrons,...
light-emitting diodeAn LED, or light emitting diode, is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs...
quantum sensingQuantum sensing refers to a class of sensing technologies that leverage principles from quantum mechanics to enhance the...
frame rateFrame rate refers to the frequency at which consecutive images, or frames, are displayed in a video sequence. It is...
microcombA microcomb, short for microresonator frequency comb, is a novel photonic device that generates a precise series of evenly...
rare-earth doped fiberAn optical fiber in which ions of a rare-earth element, such as neodymium, erbium or holmium, have been incorporated into...
lenticular stereo photographyA type of stereoscopic photography in which a pair of lenses focuses a pair of images, relative to the positions of the two...
mosaic mirrorA large telescope mirror fabricated from several smaller sections.
error correcting codeThe addition to the information signal in communications of redundant bits that enable the originally encoded message to be...
discontinuously reinforced aluminumA composite derived from aluminum alloy powder and silicon carbide, used as an optical substrate in air- and spacecraft...
diffuserAn optical diffuser is an optical component or material designed to scatter or diffuse light that passes through it. It is...
laser texturingLaser texturing is a manufacturing process that involves using a laser beam to selectively modify the surface of a material,...
modemModulator/demodulator. An electronic device that modulates and demodulates signals transmitted over communications lines.
silver-disc pyrheliometerAn instrument that uses a blackened silver-disc reflector with a shutter to create temperature fluctuations that are...
laser annealingLaser annealing is a process that involves using a laser beam to heat and modify the microstructure of a material, typically...
clockA signal, generated by an oscillator, that provides the means of synchronization of operations in a data communications...
pencil beamIn astronomy, the main lobe of an antenna pattern that has a small angular extent in two mutually perpendicular directions....
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...
scanning spectroradiometerA spectroradiometer having a means to scan different regions of the light spectrum, providing simultaneous representations...
diasporometerIn an optical rangefinder, the system of wedges that rotate in opposite directions to aid in the detection of deviation in...
quantitative phase imagingQuantitative phase imaging (QPI) is an advanced imaging technique used in microscopy to measure and analyze the optical...
rhodamineRhodamine refers to a family of fluorescent organic dyes that are widely used in various fields, including biology,...
plasmon ion-assisted depositionPlasmon ion-assisted deposition (PIAD) is a technique used in thin-film deposition processes, particularly in the production...
disc colorimeterA colorimeter using a spinning disc made of different colored sections for colorimetric analysis.
axisA straight line, real or imaginary, passing through a body and indicating its center; a line so positioned that various...
Glan spectrophotometerA device similar to the ordinary spectrophotometer but containing particular modifications to provide for the comparison of...
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...
Mie scatteringMie scattering, named after the German physicist Gustav Mie, refers to the scattering of electromagnetic radiation (such as...
high-content screeningAlso known as HCS, an analytical method designed to collect statistically relevant amounts of quantitative data on many...
prismA prism is a geometric optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. It is typically a solid, transparent...
law of reversibilityIn physics, the law of reversibility is often associated with the concept of reversibility in thermodynamics. The law...
reflecting prismA prism having several plane polished surfaces, some to transmit light, some to reflect light, and some to serve both...
retroreflectionRetroreflection is a phenomenon in optics where light is reflected back toward its source, typically in a direction nearly...
long-path absorption spectroscopyThe method that, by measuring the absorption along an atmospheric path at wavelengths ranging from two to a continuum, can...
optical manufacturing tools and machineryOptical manufacturing tools and machinery encompass a wide range of equipment, instruments, and systems used in the...
mirror lensAn image-forming system having curved mirrors in place of transparent glass components. Mirror lenses are commonly used for...
photochromicPhotochromic refers to a property exhibited by certain materials, typically organic compounds or dyes, which undergo...
pulse spreadingVariations in a signal passing through an optical fiber caused by the effect on the pulse of the fiber's material and mode...
nanoLEDAn LED (light-emitting diode) is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs...
duplexIn data communications, the simultaneous operation of a circuit in both directions is known as full duplex; if only one...
electroholographyA technology that uses electrically activated holograms stored within specially developed crystals to route information in...
computer visionComputer vision enables computers to interpret and make decisions based on visual data, such as images and videos. It...
biophotonicsThe technology that deals with the interaction of organic materials with light and other forms of radiant energy whose...
micro-roboticsMicro-robotics refers to the field of robotics that involves the design, development, and application of miniature robotic...
incoherentIn optics, the term denoting the lack of a fixed phase relationship between two waves. If two incoherent waves are...
liquid crystal light valveA liquid crystal light valve (LCLV), also known as a spatial light modulator (SLM), is an optical device that modulates the...
laser driftLaser drift typically refers to a phenomenon where the frequency or wavelength of a laser source gradually changes over...
spatial coherenceThe maintenance of a fixed-phase relationship across the full diameter of a cross section of a laser beam.
histologyHistology is the branch of biology and medicine that involves the study of the microscopic structure of tissues and organs...
Risley prismA Risley prism, also known as a Risley prism pair or Risley rotating prism, is an optical device used for controlling the...
opticsOptics is the branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter...
optical linkAny optical transmission channel used in telecommunications designed to connect two end terminals or to be connected in...
beam profilingBeam profiling is a technique used to characterize and analyze the spatial intensity distribution of a laser beam. It...
stochastic optical reconstruction microscopyStochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) is a superresolution microscopy technique that enables imaging of...
positioningPositioning generally refers to the determination or identification of the location or placement of an object, person, or...
CCD image sensorA CCD image sensor, or charge-coupled device image sensor, is a type of electronic device used to convert optical images...
cesium-antimonide photocathodeA photocathode that exhibits maximum sensitivity in the blue and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. The sensitivity is...
saccadic motionThe movement of the eye as it focuses on details of a scene. Some imaging systems mimic this movement by small, rapid...
STED microscopySTED microscopy, or stimulated emission depletion microscopy, is a superresolution imaging technique in fluorescence...
absorption bandA group of frequencies or wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum which exhibits resonance or energy contributions near...
concave and convex spherical mirrorConcave and convex spherical mirrors are types of curved mirrors that have surfaces shaped like segments of spheres. These...
quantum cascade laserA quantum cascade laser (QCL) is a type of semiconductor laser that operates based on the principles of quantum mechanics....
electro-optic radarA radar system that uses electro-optic rather than microwave instrumentation and methods to perform its acquisition and...
astrometryThe analysis and measurement of celestial bodies, their motions and positions.
phase-shift keyingA method of coding information in a communications system where the shift in the phase of an electromagnetic wave represents...
wave plateAn optical element having two principal axes, slow and fast, that resolve an incident polarized beam into two mutually...
image plane holographyA hologram in which the image of an object, or the object itself, is located near the hologram recording plane, for optimum...
fluorescence photographyThe photographic recording of a subject that exhibits luminescence only for an extremely short time (10-8 s) after the...
liquid crystal on siliconLiquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) is a display technology that combines liquid crystal materials with silicon-based...
confocal resonatorA confocal resonator, also known as a confocal cavity or confocal laser resonator, is a type of optical resonator...
rotational power stabilityAbility of a laser to resist variations in output power caused when it is slowly rotated about its optical or symmetrical...
vacuum phototubeA phototube that functions within a vacuum and thus eliminates the effects of gaseous ionization on its electrical...
Murty interferometerA form of shearing interferometer that contains a simple wedged (plane-parallel) glass plate with a nonzero optical path...
vernier interferometerA phase-shift interferometer used to detect the relative angular speeds or positions of two concentric rotors.
knife-edge scanning microscopeAn imaging device originally created to image whole mouse brain volumes at microscopic resolution. The main component of the...
liquid filterA solution or combination of solutions that serves as a filter.
linear opticsLinear optics refers to the study and manipulation of light in a linear and deterministic manner, where the response of...
galvanometric scannerA galvanometric scanner, also known as a galvanometer scanner or galvo scanner, is a type of optical scanning device used to...
image splitting eyepieceAn eyepiece having a special prism arrangement linked to a micrometer screw to allow reading of the angular relations...
GigEGigE, short for gigabit Ethernet, refers to a standard for high-speed Ethernet communication, capable of transmitting data...
octaveIn optics, an octave typically refers to a range of frequencies or wavelengths that spans a factor of 2. In other words,...
tristimulus integratorA device used to produce numerical integrations for colorimetry.
BCS theoryBardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory of superconductivity, based on the notion that electrons with opposite momentum and spin...
automatic gain controlA method of producing an essentially constant output signal from an electronic circuit despite variations in the strength of...
blackbody sourceA blackbody source, often simply referred to as a blackbody, is a theoretical or practical physical object that absorbs all...
legacy fiberOlder fiber optic cable that may not be suitable for state-of-the-art applications and that is difficult for suppliers to...
Raman spectroscopyRaman spectroscopy is a technique used in analytical chemistry and physics to study vibrational, rotational, and other...
gas dischargeThe conduction of electricity in a gas as a result of the ions generated by collisions between electrons and gas molecules.
reflectance confocal microscopyReflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows for high-resolution, in vivo imaging...
waveformThe graph of the oscillating variations making up a wave, relative to time.
local area networkData communications network in a clearly defined geographical location, and extending no more than a few miles in length. It...
ion-beam sputteringIon-beam sputtering (IBS) is a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique used for depositing thin films onto substrates. It...
superresolutionSuperresolution refers to the enhancement or improvement of the spatial resolution beyond the conventional limits imposed by...
third-order theoryCalculations of lens aberrations whereby the first two terms of the series expansion
are the only ones employed....
monolithic lenslet moduleAn array of refractive microlenses that are round, square and hexagonal and as small as 15 µm. They are used for...
recording cameraA type of camera that incorporates a tiny mirror that oscillates in accordance with incoming signals. An illuminated slit is...
laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopyA pump-probe technique whereby a single wavelength source may be used in order to excite a given sample to determine...
sky noiseVariations in signal detected on a bolometer that are caused by instabilities in the temperature of the sky.
extinction meterA type of exposure meter that artificially reduces the light admitted in a sequence of known fractions until a value is...
machine learningMachine learning (ML) is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on the development of algorithms and...
electromagnonAn electromagnon is a quasiparticle excitation that combines aspects of both magnetism and electric polarization in a...
single molecule localization microscopySingle molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) is a group of super-resolution microscopy techniques that surpass the...
area scanArea scan, in the context of imaging and cameras, refers to a method of capturing an entire two-dimensional image in a...
thermoplastic filmA type of holographic film widely used for industrial applications because it is inexpensive and erasable.
dynamic spectroscopyA spectroscopic technique used to display the intensity of an optical pulse as functions of time and frequency...
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...
single-photon emission computed tomographyA medical imaging method in which gamma camera heads rotate about the patient to detect radionuclides, enabling physicians...
comb filterA filter that passes a series of wavelength regions that are at equal distances from one another, such that its output...
image orthiconA camera tube widely used in television broadcasting. It consists of three sections within a single vacuum envelope. 1. A...
cleaning equipmentIn optics, degreasers or ultrasonic arrangements used for removing pitch, cement or polishing material from lenses during...
enhanced Faraday effectThe occurrence of very large rotations in transparent materials at weak magnetic fields as predicted in the classical...
dewettingDewetting is a phenomenon in materials science and physics where a thin film or coating spontaneously undergoes a process of...
scanning moire topographyA contour mapping technique that uses electronic scanning and sampling techniques instead of a reference grating (see moire...
optical clockAn optical clock is a highly precise and advanced timekeeping device that relies on the oscillations of electromagnetic...
optical cements and adhesiveOptical cements and adhesives are specialized materials used in the assembly and bonding of optical components in optical...
electro-optic modulatorAn electro-optic modulator (EOM) is a device used to modulate the amplitude, phase, or polarization of light waves using an...
PP junctionA transition boundary between two regions having different properties in a P-type semiconducting material.
MTF optimizationComputerized lens design algorithm that permits the lens MTF characteristic to be included and controlled during the...
chirped-pulse amplificationChirped pulse amplification (CPA) is a technique used in laser physics to amplify ultrashort laser pulses to high energies...
terahertz radiationElectromagnetic radiation with frequencies between 300 GHz and 10 THz, and existing between regions of the electromagnetic...
attosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopyAttosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopy (APAP) is an advanced technique in ultrafast spectroscopy that allows...
freeform opticsFreeform optics refers to the design and fabrication of optical surfaces that do not follow traditional symmetric shapes,...
intravital microscopyIntravital microscopy is an imaging technique used to visualize biological processes within living organisms, typically in...
flying spotThe moving spot of light emitted by a source, generally a cathode-ray tube, to illuminate specific points of an area...
potassium titanyl phosphateA crystalline material with a high electro-optic coefficient, capable of operating at short wavelengths, with applications...
corner cubeA corner cube, also known as a corner reflector or retroreflector prism, is a type of optical device used to reflect light...
representative fractionRatio between map or photo linear distance and the actual ground dimensions represented.
astronomyThe scientific observation of celestial radiation that has reached the vicinity of Earth, and the interpretation of these...
spatially offset Raman spectroscopySpatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) is a technique that extends traditional Raman spectroscopy by incorporating...
fiber optic cable assemblyA fiber optic cable assembly refers to a complete unit consisting of optical fibers, connectors, protective jackets, and...
homojunctionA junction between semiconductors that differ in their doping level conductivities but not in their atomic or alloy...
optical artifactsOptical artifacts refer to undesired or unintended effects that can occur in optical systems, such as microscopes, cameras,...
closingIn morphological image processing, a series of dilations followed by the same number of erosions.
free-electron laserA free-electron laser (FEL) is a type of laser that generates coherent, high-intensity electromagnetic radiation by using a...
laser powder bed fusionLaser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a type of additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing technology that uses a high-power...
convertible lensAny lens with at least two lens elements, each of which can be used singly or in combined configurations.
nodal testingThe measurement of first- and higher order properties of a lens and its formed image, including effective focal length, back...
telescope lensA telescope lens is a primary optical component of a telescope system that gathers and focuses light to form an image. It is...
stereomicroscopyThe use of a specialized optical microscope designed to provide a more three-dimensional view of a sample. Stereomicroscopy...
paraffin oilA saturated compound of carbon and hydrogen used as a liquid coating material for optical components in high-power laser...
scanning microdensitometerA microdensitometer that contains a scanning stage to provide simultaneous representations of position vs. density.
bracketingIn photography, the technique of taking multiple pictures of the same subject at different exposures to compensate for...
instantaneous field of viewInstantaneous field of view (iFOV) is a term commonly used in the context of remote sensing, imaging systems, and optical...
pixel group processingIn digital image processing, a subcategory of frame processing that treats each pixel in terms of its relationship to...
photon-richPhoton-rich typically refers to an environment or situation where there is an abundance of photons present. In the context...
high harmonic generationHigh harmonic generation (HHG) refers to a nonlinear optical process in which intense laser light interacts with a gaseous...
trichroismThe characteristic of displaying three colors when observed in as many separate directions.
optical interconnectionThe use of photonic devices rather than electronic devices to make connections within and between integrated circuits.
metamaterialMetamaterials are artificial materials engineered to have properties not found in naturally occurring substances. These...
cavityIn a laser, the optical resonator formed by two coaxial mirrors, one totally and one partially reflective, positioned so...
Bragg method of crystal analysisA technique in which a beam of x-rays is directed against a crystal, the atoms of which, because of their lattice...
harmonic generationHarmonic generation refers to a nonlinear optical process in which incoming photons interact with a material and produce new...
monoscope cathode-ray tubeA character generation CRT that functions on the principle of secondary emission. The target holds a set of aluminum...
image jumpIn optics, the term image jump refers to a displacement or shift in the apparent position of an image when a change occurs...
spectral repeatabilitySpectral repeatability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of spectral measurements across multiple trials or...
stereocomparator1. A stereoscope that has adjustable scales to allow the determination of distances and dimensions from stereoscopic...
diode laserA diode laser is a type of laser that uses a semiconductor diode as the active medium to generate coherent light....
spectrofluorometerAn automatic scanning instrument that is used to study a substance's fluorescence over a wide range of wavelengths. It...
holographic cameraA holographic camera, also known as a holographic imaging system or holographic recorder, is a specialized device used to...
xenon arc photocoagulatorAn instrument for eye surgery that directs intense xenon arc light through the transparent cornea lens to the retina where...
zero-order reflection gratingA grating that specularly reflects the specified long radiation wavelengths and diffracts the shorter wavelengths off in...
optical time-domain reflectometerAn optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is a specialized instrument used in optical fiber communications to characterize...
thermomagnetic imagingThe production of an image on a magnetic film that is exposed to infrared radiation and heated to a point above Curie...
four-level laserA solid-state laser consisting of active atoms or ions of a transition metal, rare-earth metal or actinide, imbedded in a...
distance-luminosity relationshipIn astronomy, the relation that states that the intensity of a star's visible radiation is inversely proportional to the...
metamerismIn colorimetry, the phenomenon in which spectrally different radiations produce the same color sensation for a given...
self-phase modulationSelf-phase modulation (SPM) is a nonlinear optical phenomenon that occurs when an intense laser beam passes through a...
Wollaston prismA polarizing prism consisting of two calcite prisms cemented such that they deviate the two emerging beams (which are...
Nd:YAG laserNd:YAG laser refers to a solid-state laser that utilizes neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:Y3Al5O12) as the gain...
autofluorescenceAutofluorescence refers to the natural emission of fluorescence exhibited by certain biological structures or molecules when...
axial gradientIn gradient index optics, a gradient profile in which the refractive index varies along the direction of light propagation,...
epitaxial depositionEpitaxial deposition is a process used in semiconductor manufacturing and materials science to grow a thin crystalline...
interference microscopeA special form of microscope that utilizes interference for observing and measuring the phase and optical thickness in...
optical noiseOptical noise refers to undesirable fluctuations or disturbances in an optical signal that can affect the quality or...
electronicsThat branch of science involved in the study and utilization of the motion, emissions and behaviors of currents of...
microdisplayA microdisplay is a miniature electronic display technology that is designed to project visual information onto a small...
dispersion-shifted fiberA dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF) refers to a type of optical fiber designed to minimize the effects of chromatic dispersion,...
electrostatic printerAn instrument used to print an optical image on a specially treated paper. Light and dark portions of the original image are...
holographic gratingA holographic grating is a type of diffraction grating that is produced using holographic recording techniques. It consists...
analytical photogrammetryThe use of mathematical analysis to derive solutions in the science of photogrammetry.
point spread functionThe point spread function (PSF) is a fundamental concept in imaging that describes the response of an imaging system to a...
electron microscopeA device utilizing an electron beam for the observation and recording of submicroscopic samples with the aid of photographic...
Casimir forceThe Casimir force is a quantum phenomenon that results in an attractive force between two closely spaced uncharged...
environmental rangeThe maximum to minimum range of temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration and biological conditions under which an optical...
acousto-optic modulators and deflectorsAn acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is a device that utilizes the interaction between sound waves and light waves to modulate...
Fabry-Perot interferometerA multiple-beam interferometer, usually consisting of two flat plates, with high reflective ability. The plates are set...
network interface cardA network interface card (NIC), also known as a network adapter or LAN adapter, is a hardware component that allows...
sapphire crystalSapphire crystal refers to a transparent, single-crystal form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) known as corundum. It is one of the...
metaboliteA metabolite is any small molecule that is a product of metabolism, the chemical processes that occur within living...
polymerase chain reactionThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a widely used molecular biology technique used to amplify a specific segment of DNA...
liquid gateAn immersion liquid used to treat polarizing filters to eliminate the effects of surface variations and to minimize the...
coherent fiber bundleA coherent fiber bundle (CFB), also known as a coherent fiber optic bundle, is an assembly of multiple optical fibers...
laser rangefinderA laser rangefinder is a device that uses laser technology to measure the distance between the device and a target. It...
antireflection coatingAn antireflection coating (AR coating) is a thin film or coating applied to optical surfaces, such as lenses or windows, to...
paraxial rayA ray that behaves according to paraxial equations; one that lies close to and almost parallel to the optical axis.
multiconfiguration modeUsed in computer design for optical systems with common parts and different applications.
standing waveThe combination of two waves having the same frequency and amplitude and traveling in opposite directions. Standing waves...
electron bandA spectrum band that is usually found in the visible or the ultraviolet because of the electron transitions taking place...
hyperspectral imagingHyperspectral imaging is an advanced imaging technique that captures and processes information from across the...
spectrophone techniqueGas detection measurement technique that uses a built-in capacitative microphone to calculate the amount of absorbed laser...
image qualityA measure of the closeness with which an optical image is capable of resembling the original object. The factors that affect...
dichroic mirrorA dichroic mirror, also known as a dichroic beamsplitter or interference filter beamsplitter, is an optical device that...
reagentA reagent is a substance or compound that is used in a chemical reaction to bring about a specific transformation or to...
echelle gratingA specialized form of diffraction grating consisting of assembled glass plates of equal thickness that resemble a flight of...
micro-opticsMicro-optics refers to the design, fabrication, and application of optical components and systems at a microscale level....
microbubble resonatorA microbubble resonator is a device used in photonics and optical physics for the precise manipulation of light waves. It...
mode hoppingMode hopping in the context of lasers refers to a phenomenon where a laser system abruptly switches from one longitudinal...
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...
Van der WaalsVan der Waals forces refer to the attractive or repulsive forces between molecules (or parts of molecules) that arise from...
diverging lensA diverging lens is a type of lens that causes parallel rays of light to spread out or diverge. It is thinner in the center...
spherical aberrationSpherical aberration is an optical aberration that occurs when light rays passing through a lens or curved optical surface...
cresyl violetCresyl violet, also known as cresyl violet acetate or cresyl echt violet, is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the...
hydrophobicHydrophobic is a term used to describe substances or materials that repel or do not readily interact with water. The word...
lock-in amplifierA lock-in amplifier is a specialized electronic instrument used to extract and measure small signals embedded in noise or...
heat treatingThe process of subjecting glass to temperature cycling to produce physico-chemical reactions that alter its properties....
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...
heat lampA lamp designed to emit a large amount of infrared radiation; used in applications requiring heat.
bench photometerA device used to compare the luminous intensities of two sources by locating a point between the two light sources where the...
modulated grating hologramA computer-generated, phase-and-amplitude, off-axis hologram made by a multi-exposure technique that uses three computer...
quencher moleculeIn the dye laser, the molecule that takes out energy from the triplet state during collisions between the dye and quencher...
Babinet compensatorA device containing two opposed quartz wedges of equal angle, one wedge being movable along its length by a micrometer...
phenotypeIn biology, particularly genetics and evolutionary biology, the phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits...
constant variant enhancementTechnique that uses high-pass filtering to reduce the local average to zero for all regions of the picture and then applies...
electron-beam lithography systemAn electron-beam lithography (EBL) system is a sophisticated nanofabrication tool used in the semiconductor industry and...
coherent communicationsA fiber optic communications system that works on the principles of homodyning or heterodyning. The transmitting laser...
ratiometryRatiometry is a technique used in various scientific fields, particularly in analytical chemistry and biochemistry, to...
nonlinear opticsNonlinear optics is a branch of optics that studies the optical phenomena that occur when intense light interacts with a...
GaAlAs laserA GaAlAs laser is a type of semiconductor laser diode that emits light in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic...
hybrid coolerA cryogenic cooler device that is an intermittent Joule-Thomson refrigerator with a passive radiator serving as the...
triacA semiconductor device that functions as an electrically controlled switch for AC loads.
fluenceFluence is a term used in various scientific and technical disciplines to describe the amount of something per unit area....
atomic absorption spectrometerAn atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) is an analytical instrument used to determine the concentration of specific chemical...
codecA device that combines the functions of encoder and decoder.
effective aperture1. That portion of the aperture that functions to collect energy and deliver it to the final system detector. 2. For an...
detector arrayA detector array refers to a collection of individual detector elements arranged in a two-dimensional grid or matrix format....
low Earth orbitLow Earth orbit (LEO) refers to a region in space that is relatively close to Earth's surface, typically characterized by...
isolatorIn the context of electronics and optics, an isolator refers to a device that allows the transmission of signals in one...
stereoscopic photographyThe photographing of a scene from positions corresponding to the locations of both eyes. A viewing device is used to present...
reflectiveThe term reflective is an adjective that describes the ability of a surface or material to reflect light or other forms of...
photoconductive antennaPhotoconductive antenna (PCA) is a semiconductor element that generates or detects high-frequency electromagnetic signals....
attenuationAttenuation refers to the gradual loss or reduction of intensity, force, or magnitude of a particular property as it...
lens testing equipmentLens testing equipment refers to a range of specialized tools and instruments used to evaluate the optical performance,...
detector-Dewar assemblyA detector-Dewar assembly typically refers to a combination of a detector and a Dewar flask used in scientific instruments,...
ultrasonicUltrasonic refers to sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing, typically above...
sign conventionsA convention that defines specific dimensions of an optical system, such as the image distance or radius of curvature of a...
modulation transfer function analysis/measurement equipmentMTF analysis/measurement equipment refers to instruments and tools used to measure and analyze the modulation transfer...
fiber optic preformA fiber optic preform is a cylindrical glass rod or tube used as the starting material for manufacturing optical fibers. It...
off-axis paraboloid and ellipsoid mirrorOff-axis paraboloid and ellipsoid mirrors are specialized optical components used in various optical systems, particularly...
micro-ring resonatorA micro-ring resonator is a compact optical device that utilizes the resonant behavior of light within a small ring-shaped...
vortex phase plateA vortex phase plate is an optical device designed to impart a phase singularity, commonly referred to as a vortex or phase...
Matrix opticsThe linear relationship between input and output optical fields for a given optical system or application that allows the...
high-speed motion cameraA high-speed motion camera, also known as a high-speed camera or slow-motion camera, is a specialized imaging device...
halideIn chemistry, a halide refers to a chemical compound containing one or more halogen atoms bonded to another element. The...
heatseekerA guided missile that uses an infrared sensor to detect and home in on an enemy target. The missile is guided by the high...
optical tweezersOptical tweezers refer to a scientific instrument that uses the pressure of laser light to trap and manipulate microscopic...
second-order nonlinear optical propertiesSecond-order nonlinear optical properties refer to a class of phenomena exhibited by certain materials in response to...
dichroic coatingA dichroic coating, also known as a dichroic filter or dichroic mirror, is an optical coating designed to selectively...
color correctionThe reduction in longitudinal, lateral and secondary chromatic aberrations in a lens or lens system.
fiber-coupled photoconductive antennaA fiber-coupled photoconductive antenna (FCPA) is a type of optoelectronic device that combines a photoconductive antenna...
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...
Nicol prismA prism invented by William Nicol in 1828 that is made of calcite, the end faces of which are ground to an angle of 68°...
comparator1. An eyepiece or magnifier with a scale at its image plane. That scale is placed in contact with an object, permitting...
supercontinuumSupercontinuum refers to a broad spectrum of light that spans a wide range of wavelengths, typically from the visible to the...
custom lapping and polishing servicesCustom lapping and polishing services involve specialized processes used to improve the surface finish and dimensional...
isotropicThat property of a material that determines that velocity of propagation within the material is the same for all directions.
optical headIn compact disc and CD-ROM technology, the portion of the drive that projects the laser light onto the surface of the media...
optical character recognitionOptical character recognition (OCR) is a technology that is used to convert printed or handwritten text into...
Ioffee barA fusion system conductor capable of carrying current in opposite directions in alternating time phases.
spectral domain optical coherence tomographySpectral domain optical coherence tomography is an imaging technique used in medical diagnostics, particularly in...
television cameraA camera containing an electronic image sensor that converts the image to an electronic signal suitable for television...
speckle metrologyRefers to the variety of techniques that use the interference pattern produced by laser light diffusely reflected by an...
terahertzTerahertz (THz) refers to a unit of frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum, denoting waves with frequencies between 0.1...
tissue opticsThe study of the optical properties of living tissue. Increased understanding of the behavior of light in this varied,...
digital image processingThe technique by which an analog image is converted by any of several means into a finite array of points, each represented...
phase distrortionPhase distortion refers to a change in the phase relationships between different frequency components of a signal. In the...
point cloudA point cloud is a set of data points in a three-dimensional coordinate system, where each point represents a specific...
lensA lens is a transparent optical device that focuses or diverges light, allowing it to pass through and form an image. Lenses...
photographic sensitometryThe measurement of the responsivity of photographic media and of the relations between exposure and density of developed...
photoimmunotherapyPhotoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a medical treatment approach that combines elements of phototherapy and immunotherapy to target...
RTSP protocolRTSP, or real-time streaming protocol, is a network control protocol designed for controlling streaming media servers. It is...
integrated photonicsIntegrated photonics is a field of study and technology that involves the integration of optical components, such as lasers,...
multianode microchannel array detectorA photon-counting instrument for use in both space-borne and ground-based photometric and spectroscopic instrumentation....
functional materialFunctional materials refer to materials that possess specific properties or functionalities that make them suitable for...
discriminationThe degree to which a vision system is capable of sensing differences in light intensity between two regions.
piezoelectric effectThe interaction between electrical and mechanical stress-strain factors in a material. When piezoelectric crystal is...
low-light-level instrumentationInstrumentation designed to permit the perception, recording or measurement of scenes under conditions of low incident...
histochemical stainingHistochemical staining is a laboratory technique used in biology and medicine to visualize specific chemical components...
backward-wave oscillatorAn amplifying device with a wide tuning range in which an electron gun sends a beam of electrons into a slow-wave structure....
adaptive opticsAdaptive optics (AO) is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effects of...
convolutional neural networkA powerful and flexible machine-learning approach that can be used in machine vision to help solve difficult problems....
Franck-Condon principleThe principle that electronic energy transitions occur at such speeds that the nuclei of the atoms in the molecular system...
array processorIn image processing, a specially designed programmable computer peripheral that attaches to the host system for the purpose...
hyperfine splittingThe splitting of an element's spectral line as the result of the interactions between the electron spin and the spins of...
indium phosphideIndium phosphide (InP) is a compound semiconductor material composed of indium (In) and phosphorus (P). It belongs to the...
optical switchingOptical switching refers to the process of controlling the routing or transmission of optical signals within a network using...
sapphire windowA sapphire window refers to a transparent optical component made from sapphire crystal. Sapphire is a single-crystal form of...
photonic crystalsPhotonic crystals are artificial structures or materials designed to manipulate and control the flow of light in a manner...
gallium nitrideGallium nitride (GaN) is a compound made up of gallium (Ga) and nitrogen (N). It is a wide-bandgap semiconductor material...
motion picture cameraA camera equipped with a lens and a long length of perforated film, the latter being moved intermittently between exposures...
optical communicationsThe transmission and reception of information by optical devices and sensors.
rare-earth elementsRare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of seventeen chemical elements found in the Earth's crust, characterized by their...
luminousPertaining to electromagnetic radiation as perceived by the eye; that is, with the contributions as wavelengths in the...
sputtering equipmentSputtering equipment is machinery used in the process of physical vapor deposition (PVD), specifically sputtering....
intensity interferometerAn interferometer that functions by first detecting the light striking each aperture and then combining the two detector...
magnetic rotation spectroscopyTechnique in which the polarization rotation of light, and its relationship to the magnetic field strength can be analyzed...
microlens arrayA microlens array is a grid-like structure composed of numerous small lenses, typically arranged in a regular pattern. Each...
augmented realityAugmented reality (AR) is a technology that integrates digital information, typically in the form of computer-generated...
fluoresceinFluorescein is a synthetic organic compound extensively used as a fluorescent tracer in various applications, particularly...
electrostatic tape cameraA camera that records its images electrostatically on plastic tape; used in situations where radiation would have an adverse...
Arrhenius plotThe plot that expresses a reaction rate vs. the reciprocal of absolute temperature. Often used to describe the thermal...
thin lens relationshipsFormulas designating the relationships between image distance, object distance, focal length, refractive index, etc., of a...
split-image microscopeA mask-alignment microscope used to produce and inspect microcircuits in the electronics industry. It provides flat-field,...
freeform mirrorsFreeform mirrors refer to reflective optical components that deviate from traditional symmetric or rotationally symmetric...
hydrogelA hydrogel is a three-dimensional network of polymer chains that are hydrophilic, meaning they have a strong affinity for...
Becke apertometerDevice used to measure the numerical aperture of a microscope, composed of a 14-mm-thick glass block with numerical aperture...
channel impedanceThe parallel resistance and capacitance appearing between the active guard ring junctions in a silicon photodiode.
piezoresistancePiezoresistance is a phenomenon in materials science and physics where the electrical resistance of a material changes in...
continuous waveContinuous wave (CW) refers to a type of signal or transmission where the signal is constant and does not vary with time. In...
beaconA device, either visual or electronic, that emits signals to identify set positions for use in the navigation of aircraft...
calorific raysName originally given to the sun's infrared radiation by Sir William Herschel in his Philosophical Transactions of 1800.
quantum dotsA quantum dot is a nanoscale semiconductor structure, typically composed of materials like cadmium selenide or indium...
extreme ultravioletExtreme ultraviolet (EUV) refers to a specific range of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum....
neopreneA type of thermoset rubber used to jacket fiber optic cables, including those used in outdoor military installations.
3D laser line profile sensorA 3D profile sensor, also known as a 3D profiling sensor or 3D depth sensor, is a technology that is used to capture and...
microchannel plateA microchannel plate (MCP) is a specialized electron multiplier device used in various applications such as particle...
optical tableAn optical table, also known as an optical bench or an optical breadboard, is a specialized platform used in optics...
light fidelityLiFi, short for light fidelity, is a wireless communication technology that utilizes visible light or infrared light to...
light fieldThe term light field refers to the spatial distribution of light rays traveling in all directions through a given space. It...
Monte Carlo simulationSimulation of radiative transfer in which each photon is generated by a source and its path through the medium is...
synchrotron radiationRadiation emitted by electrons when they travel in circular orbits at speeds close to that of light. Synchrotron radiation...
data linkThe communications network between nodes of a data transmission system.
circular dichroismCircular dichroism (CD) is a spectroscopic technique used to study the structural characteristics of chiral (asymmetric)...
moving aperture techniqueMethod for reducing laser speckle in which the object field comes from a real diffuse object or the reconstructed object...
photonics contract manufacturingPhotonics contract manufacturing refers to the outsourcing of the production of photonics-related components, devices, or...
laser crystalA laser crystal, also known as an active medium or gain medium, is a solid-state material used in the construction of...
vibrational transitionA vibrational transition refers to a change in the vibrational energy of a molecule. Molecules consist of atoms that are...
Rydberg atomThe term "Rydberg atom" refers to an atom in a highly excited state where one or more of its electrons are in a Rydberg...
optical design softwareOptical design software refers to specialized computer programs used by optical engineers, physicists, and designers to...
lumenA lumen is a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of luminous flux, which is the perceived power of light. In...
microscopyMicroscopy is a scientific technique that involves the use of microscopes to observe and study objects that are too small to...
Digital Imaging and Communications in MedicineDigital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) is an international standard for medical imaging created by both the...
alignment laserA laser, usually employing helium-neon or other gases as the active medium, used for alignment in industrial applications.
linear image sensorA linear image sensor is a type of solid-state electronic device used to capture and convert light into electrical signals....
single-molecule spectroscopyAn advanced technique that allows the detection of one molecule within a crystal or a cell through optical excitation....
second-harmonic generationSecond-harmonic generation (SHG) is a nonlinear optical process that occurs when two photons with the same frequency combine...
spatial light interference microscopySpatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) is an optical microscopy technique that belongs to the category of quantitative...
vertical resolutionIn television system specifications, the number of parallel horizontal black and white lines of equal thickness, that can be...
charge-injection deviceA charge-injection device (CID) refers to a class of devices that manipulate and detect electrical charge within a...
optically active materialA material that can rotate the polarization of light that passes through it. An optically active material exhibits different...
GaN-based LEDsGallium nitride-based light-emitting diodes (GaN-based LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric...
differential interference contrast microscopyDifferential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, also known as Nomarski interference contrast microscopy, is an optical...
Faraday rotationThe effect discovered by Faraday in 1845 whereby nonoptically active materials or substances become capable of rotating the...
exciter filterIn ultraviolet and fluorescence photography, the term applied to the filter used in the photographic system and with the...
reflective spectroscopyReflectance spectroscopy is a technique used to analyze the reflective properties of materials across various wavelengths of...
laser ablationLaser ablation is a process that involves the removal or erosion of material from a target surface using laser energy. This...
optical discA rigid medium, generally a polycarbonate substrate coated with a reflective aluminum layer, that stores information (such...
neutron drip linePrediction based on observations of nuclear masses in the valley of stability that indicates the maximum number of electrons...
CoaXPressCoaXPress (CoaXPress or CXP) is a standardized digital interface and communication protocol used primarily in machine vision...
biometricsBiometrics refers to the automated recognition of individuals based on their physiological or behavioral characteristics....
anisotropicAnisotropic is a term used to describe a material or substance that exhibits different properties or behaviors in different...
aspheric mirrorAn aspheric mirror is an optical mirror surface that deviates from the shape of a perfect sphere, having a non-spherical...
reticleA reticle, also known as a reticule or graticule, is a pattern or set of markings placed in the focal plane of an optical...
Seebeck effectCharacteristic of dissimilar metals in thermoelectric solar cells whereby separate junctions exhibiting distinct...
ocean colorRefers to the characteristic hue of the ocean according to the presence and concentration of specific minerals or...
edge-emitting LEDAn edge-emitting light-emitting diode is a type of LED structure where light emission occurs primarily along the edge of the...
curieStandard maintained by the International Commission on Radiological Units as a unit of radioactivity defined as the quantity...
fluorophoreA fluorophore is a molecule or a portion of a molecule that has the ability to emit light upon excitation by an external...
complementary metal-oxide semiconductorComplementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) refers to a technology used in the fabrication of integrated circuits,...
electromagnetic theoryThe theory of propagation of energy by combined electric and magnetic fields included in Maxwell's equations.
activity1. Synonymous with radioactivity. The intensity of a radioactive source illustrated as the number of atoms disintegrating in...
multiline laser systemA multiline laser system refers to a type of laser that is capable of emitting multiple discrete wavelengths or spectral...
volumetric imagingVolumetric imaging refers to the capture, visualization, and analysis of three-dimensional (3D) information from a volume of...
absorption peakAn absorption peak refers to a sharp increase or spike in the absorption of electromagnetic radiation at a particular...
CMOS cameraA CMOS camera refers to an imaging device that employs a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor to...
photoelectric photometryThe use of photoelectric sensors to detect and measure the intensity of a light source. This application, as compared to...
event-based sensorAn event-based image sensor, also known as a dynamic vision sensor (DVS), is a type of digital imaging device designed to...
nuclear track emulsionA photographic emulsion of the silver-halide type that is used to record the path of a charged traveling particle. The...
quantum-ehanced metrologyQuantum-enhanced metrology refers to the use of quantum mechanics principles and techniques to enhance the precision and...
interferometric modulator displayInterferometric modulator display (IMOD) is a type of display technology used in electronic devices, known for its energy...
optical materialsOptical materials refer to substances or compounds specifically chosen for their optical properties and used in the...
luminescenceLuminescence is the emission of light that occurs without the involved substance undergoing a significant increase in...
isotopically selected laser spectroscopyA spectroscopic technique in which an excitation band absorbs laser energy resulting in an electronic transition. The...
accelerometerAn accelerometer is a sensor or transducer that measures the rate of change of velocity of an object, or in simpler terms,...
cinemicrographyCinematography performed with the use of a microscope to film the actions of microscopic specimens.
image isoconA television camera tube that preceded the development of the vidicon tube and incorporated a method to separate reflected...
well plateA well plate, also known as a microplate or microtiter plate, is a flat plate with multiple small wells or depressions...
photographic thermometryThe photographic recording of the heat radiation emitted from various points on the object as corresponding density...
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...
optoacousticOptoacoustic, or photoacoustic, refers to a phenomenon and related techniques that involve the generation of acoustic waves...
photodynamic inactivationPhotodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a therapeutic approach that utilizes the combination of light, a photosensitizer, and...
optical comparatorTypically used for the examination of manufactured or engineered parts, an optical gauging device, in which a backlight is...
straight-path approximationThe determination of axially symmetric and asymmetric refractive-index distributions by use of interferometry carried out on...
single-molecule FRETSingle-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a specialized technique in biophysics and molecular...
geometric operationsIn image processing, mathematical operations that change spatial geometry, as for instance scaling, translating, rotating or...
flowmeterA flowmeter is a device used to measure the flow rate or quantity of a fluid passing through a particular point in a system....
magnetron sputteringA variation from standard physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating techniques, magnetron sputtering is a plasma coating...
charge-coupled deviceA charge-coupled device (CCD) is a type of electronic image sensor used in various imaging devices, including digital...
Maxwell's equationsThe mathematical set of equations showing the relationship between oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are...
nonradiative transitionA nonradiative transition refers to a process in which an electron or an atom undergoes a change in its energy state without...
noncoherent bundleAn assembly of optical fibers that will not transmit coherent images or information because the relationship of the fibers...
integrated services digital networkA set of international standards by which a single telecommunications channel is used to transmit voice and data...
optical barcode readerAn optical barcode reader, commonly known as a barcode scanner, is a device that uses optical technology to capture and...
organic light-emitting diodeAn organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is a type of light-emitting diode (LED) technology that utilizes organic compounds to...
gyroscopeA gyroscope is a mechanical device consisting of a spinning disk or wheel mounted on a spinning axis in such a way that its...
lambertian emitterAn optical source that has a luminous distribution that is uniform for all directions.
radiation trappingThat process by which radiation spontaneously emitted by a volume of optical materials is resonantly reabsorbed within the...
ionic focusingAlso known as gas focusing. The introduction of an inert gas into a cathode-ray tube for the concentration of the electron...
Fourier analysisThe representation of arbitrary functions as the superposition of sinusoidal functions whereby the representations...
coded discA reticle carrying patterns of various forms that can be rotated in an optical beam to cause variations in the intensity of...
photon jetA photon jet is a narrow, highly collimated beam of light that is formed when light interacts with small dielectric...
circle of confusionThe image of a point source that appears as a circle of finite diameter because of defocusing or the aberrations inherent in...
CMOS image sensorA CMOS image sensor, short for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor, is a type of semiconductor device used...
Bjerrum screenIn ophthalmic practice, an instrument that determines the boundaries of the field of view. It is composed of a 2-m square of...
laser communications
q-switched operationQ-switched operation, or q-switching, is a technique used in lasers to produce short and intense pulses of light. The term...
multiband cameraA group of four cameras loaded with different combinations of filters and film (one is usually an infrared color film) to...
mid-infrared cameraA mid-infrared camera is a type of imaging device designed to capture images in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range,...
phototherapyPhototherapy is a medical treatment that involves the use of light to treat various conditions, particularly those related...
remote sensingRemote sensing is a method of data collection and observation where information about objects, areas, or phenomena on...
microbend-modulated sensorA type of fiber optic sensor that detects changes in pressure, vibration, sound level or acceleration by monitoring the...
quadratic phase termsConceptual formulas that characterize both the transmittance functions of lenses and propagation in the Fresnel zone.
full width half maximumThe full width at half maximum (FWHM) is a measure used in various fields, particularly in spectroscopy, signal processing,...
openingIn morphological image processing, a series of erosions followed by the same number of dilations.
transverse modeIn the context of optics and lasers, a transverse mode refers to a specific spatial pattern of the electric field within the...
gyroscopic camera mountA mount that uses a floating suspension and a motor-driven gyroscope to keep a motion picture or still camera at a set angle...
die bondingDie bonding is a critical process in semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics assembly, where a semiconductor die or...
aerial filmFilm designed especially for the needs and conditions encountered in aerial photography. It is produced in a variety of...
Saha equationFormula that describes the thermal equilibrium of gas electrons and ions as a direct function of variations in temperature.
low-coherence interference microscopeAn interference microscope that uses a light beam originating from a low-coherence light source. The sample is placed in one...
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...
eikonometerA scale attached to a microscope eyepiece that is seen superimposed on the image and that is used to measure the dimensions...
ray tracingRay tracing is a rendering technique used in computer graphics to simulate the way light interacts with objects in a scene....
Seidel aberrationsSeidel aberrations refer to a set of monochromatic aberrations in optical systems, named after the German mathematician and...
environmental parametersPotential hazards to a system's application and installation, including temperature variations, chemical reactivity,...
crystalA solid with a structure that exhibits a basically symmetrical and geometrical arrangement. A crystal may already possess...
atmospheric inhomogeneitiesLocalized variations in the purity and the index of refraction of the atmosphere.
orange peelIn the context of imaging, particularly digital imaging and printing, "orange peel" refers to a texture or visual distortion...
pulse shapingThe use of variations in the power supplied to a laser to change the shape of the output pulse. The technique is used in...
cosmic expansionThe ongoing expansion of the universe based on observations of the recession of distant galaxies from each other as...
electromagnetic waveWave of radiation identified by individual fluctuations of electric and magnetic fields.
oleophobicOleophobic is a term used to describe substances or materials that repel or resist oils. The word oleophobic comes from the...
hydrophilicHydrophilic is a term used to describe substances or materials that have an affinity for water. The word hydrophilic comes...
wedgeAn optical element having plane-inclined surfaces. Usually the faces are inclined toward one another at very small angles....
spectral windowA wavelength region of relatively high transmittance, surrounded by regions of low transmittance.
multipletA group of related lines that represent transitions between two spectroscopic terms, each of which may be complex. Also in...
excess noise factorA factor, F, indicating the increase in shot noise in an avalanche photodiode as compared with the ideal multiplier, which...
perovskiteThe term perovskite refers to a specific crystal structure commonly found in various materials. Perovskite structures have a...
diurnal phase shiftPhase shift in electromagnetic signals caused by daily variations in the ionosphere, often during sunrise or sunset.
scanning electron microscopeA scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a powerful imaging instrument used in scientific research, materials...
carrier injectionCarrier injection refers to the process of introducing charge carriers (either electrons or holes) into a semiconductor...
nonlinear optical materialsNonlinear optical materials are substances that exhibit optical properties that are not linearly proportional to the...
electro-optic deflectorAn electro-optic deflector is a device that can change the direction of light beams using an electric field. It operates...
phase contrast microscopyPhase contrast microscopy is an optical microscopy technique that enhances the contrast of transparent and colorless...
spectroradiometerA spectroradiometer is a device used to measure the intensity of light at different wavelengths across the electromagnetic...
optical gratingAn optical grating, in the context of optics and physics, refers to a device with a periodic structure of closely spaced,...
infraredInfrared (IR) refers to the region of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than those of visible light, but...
Dammann gratingA Dammann grating is a type of diffractive optical element (DOE) used to create an array of equally spaced,...
graserAn acronym of gamma ray amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. It is a gamma ray laser that operates between...
coherent optical adaptive techniqueThe use of phase conjugation or other methods to increase the power density of a laser beam under adverse atmospheric...
microprobeAn instrument that produces an intense, tightly focused beam of ions to stimulate emissions from a minute section of a...
inertial confinement fusionInertial confinement fusion (ICF) is a method of achieving nuclear fusion, a process where two atomic nuclei combine to...
excitonAn exciton is a quasiparticle that represents the bound state of an electron and a hole in a solid-state material, typically...
chromaticity coordinatesProportions of standard primaries (tristimulus values) required for a color match; ratios of each tristimulus value of a...
linearityA relationship between two variables so that when plotted on a graph they yield a straight line.
principal planeIn a lens or lens system, that surface at which the projections of an entering and exiting ray intersect. Also known as the...
flareNonimage-forming light, concentrated or diffuse, that is transmitted through the lens to the image. It is frequently the...
quantum confinementQuantum confinement refers to the phenomenon in quantum mechanics where the motion of charge carriers, such as electrons or...
label-freeLabel-free refers to a technique or method that does not require the use of additional labels, tags, or markers to detect or...
mesopic visionVision at intermediate levels of luminance between photopic and scotopic vision, where both retinal cones and retinal rods...
half-shade deviceA device for forming at least two adjacent areas of polarized light. The angle between the directions of vibration of the...
multimodality imagingA technique that combines two or more imaging processes in order to minimize the disadvantages within each of the...
collimated radiationRadiation in which every ray from any given object point can be considered to be parallel to every other. This is never...
rolling shutter artifactsRolling shutter artifacts are distortions or visual anomalies that can occur in images or videos captured by cameras with...
filovirusFiloviruses are a family of viruses that are responsible for severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fevers in humans and...
phononA phonon is a quantum of vibrational energy associated with the periodic motion of atoms or molecules in a crystalline...
Camera Link HSCamera Link HS (high speed) is a standard developed for high-speed digital data transmission in machine vision and...
FTIR spectrometerFTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectrometer is a powerful analytical instrument used to obtain an infrared spectrum of...
embedded laserThe term "embedded laser" typically refers to a laser device that is integrated or embedded into a larger system or...
momentum transferIn physics, momentum transfer is the amount of momentum transferred from one particle to another during particle collision...
backscatterBackscatter refers to the phenomenon in which radiation or waves are scattered backward, opposite to the direction of the...
extensometer1. A strainmeter capable of measuring the change in the relationship between two reference points, provided that the points...
optical gateAn optical gate typically refers to a device or system that controls the transmission of light, allowing it to pass through...
paraboloidal mirrorA concave mirror that has the form of a paraboloid of revolution. The paraboloidal mirror may have only a portion of a...
scanning tunneling microscopeA high-resolution imaging instrument that can detect and measure the positions of individual atoms on the surface of a...
Wolter telescopeA grazing incidence mirror telescope with concentric conic surfaces having a single common point: a paraboloid-hyperboloid...
time-lapse optical coherence tomographyTime-lapse optical coherence tomography (OCT) refers to a medical imaging technique that captures a series of sequential OCT...
infrared cameraAn infrared camera, also known as a thermal imaging camera or IR camera, is a device that captures and visualizes the...
scientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductorScientific complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (sCMOS) refers to a type of image sensor technology specifically designed...
envelope delay distortionDistortion caused by variations in the rate of change of phase shift with frequency over the signal's necessary bandwidth.
ultrafast pulsed laserAn ultrafast pulsed laser is a type of laser that emits extremely short pulses of light with durations typically on the...
thermal-infrared cameraA thermal-infrared camera, often referred to simply as a thermal camera, is a type of imaging device that detects infrared...
vacuum chamberA vacuum chamber is a sealed enclosure from which air and other gases are removed to create a low-pressure environment,...
emission spectroscopyA study of the energies and wavelengths of radiation emitted by atoms and molecules when particular physical conditions are...
mass spectrometerA device used to measure the masses and relative concentrations of atoms and molecules. It utilizes the Lorentz force...
ultraviolet microscopyThe study and photographing of microscope specimens in ultraviolet light; using an optical microscope containing fluorite...
Christiansen-effect filterA transparent powdered solid immersed in a liquid or plastic of similar refractive index but widely different dispersion;...
medical lasersMedical lasers are devices that produce intense beams of light with specific characteristics and properties, which are used...
metabolic imagingMetabolic imaging refers to the visualization and quantification of metabolic processes within living organisms, tissues, or...
double-clad fiberDouble-clad fiber (DCF) is a specialized optical fiber that features two concentric cladding layers surrounding a core. The...
photobleachingPhotobleaching is a phenomenon in which the fluorescence of a fluorophore (a fluorescent molecule or dye) is permanently...
surveyor's levelA small telescope mounted on a tripod and free to rotate about a vertical axis. A spirit level is mounted over the telescope...
deep learningDeep learning is a subset of machine learning that involves the use of artificial neural networks to model and solve complex...
retroreflectorA retroreflector is an optical device or structure that reflects incident light or electromagnetic waves back to their...
vacuum etchingAlso known as cathodic etching. Surface etching achieved by bombarding an evacuated surface with gas ions.
lens mountThe metal tube that maintains the optical components of a lens in proper relationship. Some lenses are mounted in metal...
deep ultravioletDeep ultraviolet (DUV or deep-UV) refers to a specific range of ultraviolet light with shorter wavelengths than those in the...
fiber optic sensorA fiber optic sensor is a device that uses optical fibers to detect and measure physical, chemical, biological, or...
optical memory1. The direct storage of data as bits in memory using optical systems and properties. The memory makes use of a laser beam...
gain-switchingGain-switching is a technique used in lasers to generate short pulses of light by modulating the gain of the laser medium....
automated optical inspectionAutomated optical inspection (AOI) is a technology used in manufacturing processes, particularly in electronics, to...
achromatAn achromat, in the context of optics, refers to a type of lens or lens system designed to reduce chromatic aberration....
arc flashAn arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy due to an electric arc — a continuous, high-current discharge of...
compound lensA lens composed of two or more separate elements of optical glass that may or may not be cemented together. The surfaces of...
optical design and engineering servicesOptical design and engineering services involve the development, customization, and optimization of optical systems and...
halogen lampA halogen lamp, also known as a tungsten halogen, quartz-halogen, or quartz iodine lamp, is an incandescent lamp that uses a...
diffraction-limited lensA lens with aberrations corrected to the point that residual wavefront errors are substantially less than one-quarter the...
pitThe micrometer-size depressions that store data digitally in an optical data storage medium.
fluorescence lifetimeFluorescence lifetime refers to the average time it takes for a fluorophore, a molecule that absorbs light at one wavelength...
digital signal processingDigital signal processing (DSP) refers to the manipulation and analysis of signals, which are representations of physical...
optical path differenceThe relative path difference (or phase shift) traveled between two rays that pass through different mediums from the same...
tomographyTechnique that defocuses activity from surrounding planes by means of the relative motions at the point of interest.
concaveConcave is an adjective used to describe a surface or shape that curves inward or has a hollow or recessed appearance. In...
photon correlation spectroscopySpectroscopy used to study the concentration, diffusion and Brownian motion of small particles suspended in a fluid by...
broadband dielectric mirrorsBroadband dielectric mirrors, also known as broadband mirrors, are optical coatings designed to efficiently reflect or...
linear positioning stageA linear positioning stage, also known as a linear stage or translation stage, is a precision mechanical device used to...
depolarizerA device that obliterates the polarization of a polarized beam by reflecting the beam in all directions at right angles to...
spatial resolutionSpatial resolution refers to the level of detail or granularity in an image or a spatial dataset. It is a measure of the...
electron-gun systemAn electron-gun system is an assembly used to generate and control a focused beam of electrons. Electron guns find...
colorThe attribute of visual experience that can be described as having quantitatively specifiable dimensions of hue, saturation,...
Lorentz oscillator modelThe Lorentz oscillator model is a theoretical model used in physics to describe the response of a charged particle (such as...
cathode streamAlso known as cathode rays. Formerly, this term described a stream of electrons emitted from the cathode of a gas-discharge...
modified chemical vapor depositionModified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) is a technique used in the fabrication of optical fibers. It is a specialized form...
Nyquist criterionIn image acquisition (and sampling theory), the postulate that the pickup sampling frequency must be a minimum of twice as...
hematofluorometerA photoanalytical instrument for analysis of jaundice conditions in infants that measures bilirubin (a breakdown product of...
balloon-borne astronomical systemAny instrument or system carried by a balloon to the upper atmosphere to measure and record atmospheric information, such as...
diaphragmA flanged or plain ring with a restricted aperture, located in an optical system at any of several points, that cuts off...
time-sharing laserA laser fitted with up to eight optical fibers that transmit the energy to different workstations in turn.
dopingIn the context of materials science and semiconductor physics, doping refers to the intentional introduction of impurities...
phageA phage, short for bacteriophage, is a type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria. Phages are composed of...
chromaticnessThe sensations of hue and saturation, taken together, but not brightness or lightness.
Ultraviolet-CUltraviolet-C (UV-C) refers to a specific range of ultraviolet radiation with shorter wavelengths than those of visible...
plasma noiseIntroduced into the laser beam from localized fluctuations in current density within the plasma itself. These fluctuations...
photonic crystal surface-emitting laserA photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) refers to a type of laser diode that emits light from its surface rather...
flow chemistryFlow chemistry, also known as continuous-flow chemistry, is a chemical manufacturing process where reactions take place in a...
Poincaré sphereA reference sphere used to represent all possible states of polarization. All linear polarizations will lie on the equator...
optical Fourier transformThe optical Fourier transform is a mathematical operation applied to optical signals that involves transforming a spatial...
data busA system incorporated into fiber optic data communications characterized by several spatially distributed terminals that are...
germicidal UVGermicidal ultraviolet (GUV) refers to a specific range of UV radiation that has disinfectant properties capable of killing...
dissectorIn optical character recognition, the mechanical or electronic transducer used to detect the level of illumination present...
optical testing instrumentAn optical testing instrument is a device or system used to evaluate and measure the performance, quality, and...
ophthalmic instrumentsA family of specialized instruments used by ophthalmologists and optometrists to study a patient's eyes and prescribe...
quenchingThe inhibition or elimination of one process by another process. The stimulated emission of a laser oscillator can be...
endoscopeAn endoscope is a medical device used for visualizing and examining the interior of hollow organs, body cavities, or...
swept-source laserA swept-source laser, also known as a wavelength-swept laser, is a type of laser that rapidly and continuously changes its...
optical caliperA device for measuring linear dimensions. The optical caliper generally consists of two circularly mounted mirrors whose...
infrared lensAn infrared lens is an optical component specifically designed and optimized for transmitting, focusing, or manipulating...
Helmholtz reciprocal relationshipThe capability of the spatial distributions of incident and reflected flux to interchange completely without alteration of...
breakout cableA breakout cable, also known as a fan-out cable or breakout assembly, is a type of cable that combines multiple individual...
atmospheric opticsThe analysis of the properties of radiation, such as light, when acted upon by variations in the atmosphere. Blue and red...
relative brightnessA figure of merit corresponding to the amount of light seen by a viewer through binoculars. A higher number indicates a...
Rayleigh scatteringRayleigh scattering is a phenomenon that occurs when light waves interact with particles or molecules that are much smaller...
magnonA magnon is a quasiparticle representing a quantized spin wave in a magnetic material. In other words, it is a collective...
bifurcated fiberA branched fiber optic lightguide that performs both receiving and transmitting functions.
laser oscillatorContains the light or beam path within a laser device. The oscillator uses reflective optical components that are oriented...
carbon dioxide laserA gas laser in which the energy-state transitions between vibrational and rotational states of CO2 molecules give emission...
crystal latticeA regular, periodic, geometric array of points corresponding to the positions of the atoms in a perfect crystal.
laser diode moduleA laser diode module is a compact device that incorporates a laser diode, optics, and often other components into a single...
thermophotovoltaicThermophotovoltaic (TPV) refers to a technology that converts heat energy into electricity using the principles of...
long-pass filterA long-pass filter is an optical filter that allows longer wavelengths of light to pass through while blocking or...
Faraday dark spaceThe nonluminous area that divides the negative glow from the positive column in a Crookes tube under conditions of moderate...
waferIn the context of electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, a wafer refers to a thin, flat disk or substrate made of a...
error functionA single number, defined by the computer program or the user that expresses the performance of an optical system. Also known...
photogrammetryPhotogrammetry is a technique used to obtain accurate three-dimensional measurements of objects and environments through the...
detemA device in which the functions of optical detector and emitter are combined.
MEMS fiber optic switchA MEMS fiber optic switch is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device designed to selectively route optical signals...
Fresnel diffraction1. Also known as near-field diffraction. The field of radiation sent through an aperture in an absorbing screen at large...
phaseIn optics and photonics, "phase" refers to a property of electromagnetic waves, such as light, that describes the position...
gas laserOne of the first lasers to find practical application. Generally, the pumping mechanism is an electric discharge, although...
Förster resonance energy transferFörster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a mechanism describing the transfer of energy between two closely spaced...
plastic opticsPlastic optics refers to optical components or systems that are made from transparent plastic materials, as opposed to...
lidarLidar, short for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and...
reflection gratingA reflection grating is an optical component that consists of a series of closely spaced, parallel reflecting surfaces or...
quartz plateA crystalline-quartz plate designed according to specifications but having its two major faces parallel.
light-activated silicon-controlled rectifierA PN-PN device with incident light taking the place of gate current; three of the four semiconductor regions are available...
ionizing radiationGenerally, any radiation that can form ions, either directly or indirectly, while traveling through a substance.
capnometerAn instrument incorporating an infrared detector assembly, used to analyze carbon dioxide gases and in medical applications...
infrared modulated ellipsometryA direct method of measuring refractive index that works best with flat-surfaced samples (i.e., those that are not dependent...
gram positiveGram-positive bacteria are a group of bacteria that have a thick cell wall composed primarily of a substance called...
tip-enhanced Raman scatteringTip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) is a powerful technique that combines Raman spectroscopy with the enhanced spatial...
pixelA pixel, short for "picture element," is the smallest controllable element of a digital image or display. It is a...
optical coherence tomographyOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique used in medical and scientific fields to capture...
digital cameraA digital camera is a device that captures and records still images or video in digital format. Unlike traditional film...
nanoparticle photonic resonator absorption microscopyNanoparticle photonic resonator absorption microscopy is a microscopy technique that combines the principles of photonic...
lithographyLithography is a key process used in microfabrication and semiconductor manufacturing to create intricate patterns on the...
lightElectromagnetic radiation detectable by the eye, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 750 nm. In photonic applications...
long-wavelength systemIn fiber optic communications systems, generally one that operates between 1000 and 1700 nm.
source correlationThe relationship between different wavelengths of light generated by a source, which may affect the spectral distribution of...
YAG crystalA YAG crystal refers to a solid-state crystal made of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), which is a synthetic crystalline...
PIN photodiodeA PIN photodiode is a type of photodetector or semiconductor device used to convert light signals into electrical signals....
velocity modulation laser spectroscopyA method of measuring negatively charged phase ions using a color-center or lead-salt diode laser.
germanium crystalGermanium crystal refers to a crystalline form of the element germanium (Ge), which is a metalloid and semiconductor...
thermal interface materialsThermal interface materials (TIMs) are substances or compounds used to enhance the thermal conductivity between two surfaces...
contour projectorAn inspection device in which the profile of a mechanical part is projected onto a ground-glass screen at a precisely known...
matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionizationProcess of analysis in which the analyte substance is distributed in a matrix before laser desorption. This method avoids...
laser markingLaser marking is a process in which a laser beam is used to mark or engrave a surface by altering its properties or...
blue diode laserA blue diode laser is a type of semiconductor laser that emits light in the blue wavelength range of the electromagnetic...
swept source optical coherence tomographySwept-source optical coherence tomography is an imaging technique used in medical diagnostics, particularly in...
channel electron multiplierA photoelectric detector consisting of a glass tube internally coated with a low conductance material. Voltage applied along...
advanced driver assistance systemsAdvanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) refers to a set of safety features and technologies designed to assist drivers in...
plasma laserOperates with light collectively emitted by the recombination of free electrons and ions in the plasma state.
aplanatic pointsAplanatic points refer to specific points in an optical system where certain aberrations, such as spherical aberration or...
lattice energyWith respect to the crystal, the decrease in energy that follows the process whereby the ions, separated from each other by...
selective laser meltingSelective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing technology that belongs to the powder bed...
recombination radiationThe radiation emitted in semiconductors when electrons in the conduction band recombine with holes in the valence band. If...
noise currentAny noise or current fluctuation that prevents precise measurement of the signal current. Both dark current and signal...
Cooke triplet lensThe simplest lens in which all primary aberrations may be corrected. It consists of two positive crown elements on either...
scintillation detectorA scintillation detector is a radiation detection device that utilizes scintillation crystals to detect and measure ionizing...
fluorescence decay systemA device, also called a fluorescence lifetime instrument, that measures decay curves of fluorescing samples. It generally...
molded lensA molded lens is an optical lens manufactured using a molding process, typically involving the shaping of a material, such...
resonatorA resonator is a device or system that exhibits resonance, which is a phenomenon that occurs when an external force or...
photochemicalThe term photochemical pertains to chemical processes or reactions that are initiated or influenced by the absorption of...
entrance slitThe entrance slit, also known simply as the slit, is an essential component in optical instruments such as spectrometers and...
substrateA substrate refers to a material or surface upon which another material or process is applied or deposited. In various...
thematic mapperAn instrument used to record infrared images of large areas. The recorded data are used to produce maps in false color...
dynamic variationIn electrical equipment, power variations that are temporary (as opposed to the permanent, cumulative effects of drift).
evaporagraphA sensor generally used for infrared imaging. It consists of two chambers separated by a thin, blackened membrane. An...
carrier-to-noise ratioThe ratio of the power of the carrier wave to that of unwanted signal distortions, or noise, before any nonlinear signal...
synchrotronA synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses magnetic fields to steer charged particles, typically electrons or...
three-level laserA laser having a material, such as ruby, that has an energy state structure of three levels: the ground state (1) wherein...
fiber optic spectrometerA fiber optic spectrometer is a device used for measuring the spectral content of light. It utilizes optical fibers to...
linkIn data communications, the instrumentation connecting two stations: transmitters, receivers and the cable that runs between...
double diffuse densityMeasurement derived from calculation when incident flux of a negative is entirely diffuse and all radiation transmissions...
transport theory approximationsMultiple scattering method used in biological analysis in which approximations yield simple, explicit solutions, at least...
absolute purity thresholdLeast value of color value combinations which gives white light; minimum purity as determined to be white.
Kerr solitonA Kerr soliton refers to a specific type of soliton, a self-reinforcing wave packet, that arises in nonlinear optical...
gravitational lensThe effect of a powerful gravitational field on light traveling through the field. This effect is detectable in astronomical...
cascade image tubeAn image tube that functions in low-light-level conditions by virtue of its series of stacked sections wherein the output of...
biomarkerA biomarker, short for biological marker, refers to a measurable and quantifiable indicator of a biological condition,...
indium gallium arsenide cameraAn InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) camera is a type of imaging device that utilizes InGaAs sensors to capture images in the...
gradient-index profileThe term gradient-index profile refers to a specific type of refractive index distribution within an optical material. In...
fluorescence lifetime imagingFluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is an advanced imaging technique that provides information about the lifetime of...
hill cloud lensA fish-eye lens designed to photograph cloud formations over the entire visible sky.
metalensA metalens, short for "metasurface lens," is a type of optical lens that uses nanostructured materials to manipulate light...
cadmium linesThe three lines in the spectrum of cadmium that have the purest radiations and that were first used by Michelson to...
dominant wavelengthA single wavelength of light that matches the color of a given sample when combined in suitable proportions with white light...
delay lineA device used to delay transmission of a signal for functions such as memory loops, sequential processing or built-in...
metasurfacesMetasurfaces are two-dimensional arrays of subwavelength-scale artificial structures, often referred to as meta-atoms or...
laser lithotripsyLaser lithotripsy is a medical procedure that uses laser energy to break down or fragment stones in various parts of the...
laser drillHigh power laser ablation device that by pulsed operation produces holes of controllable dimension on the scale of microns....
scientific CMOS cameraA scientific CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) camera is a type of digital camera specifically designed for...
femtosecond laserA femtosecond laser is a type of laser that emits ultrashort pulses of light with durations on the order of femtoseconds,...
two-photon polymerizationTwo-photon polymerization (TPP) is a technique used in additive manufacturing, specifically in the field of 3D printing. It...
microfluidicsMicrofluidics is a multidisciplinary field that involves the manipulation and control of very small fluid volumes, typically...
phototoxicityPhototoxicity refers to the harmful effects caused by exposure to light, particularly intense or ultraviolet (UV) light, on...
fiber optic gyroscopeA fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) is a type of gyroscope that uses the interference of light waves to detect changes in...
aplanatic surfaceAn aplanatic surface is an optical surface that is specifically designed or shaped to minimize spherical aberration and...
laser damage thresholdThe laser damage threshold refers to the maximum level of laser intensity that a material can withstand without experiencing...
finite sampling theoremA finite version of Shannon's sampling theorem that states that a class of functions can be reconstructed exactly by a...
holographic tomographyHolographic tomography is an advanced imaging technique that combines holography and tomography to provide three-dimensional...
maskingIn image processing, the assigning of certain portions (or pixels) of an image a constant value of either 0 (black) or 1...
diurnal aberrationAtmospheric aberration caused by the Earth's rotation; the degree varies from 0 at the poles to a maximum of 0.31 s of arc...
bulk nonreciprocal deviceA device that functions throughout the continuous radiation of a linearly polarized plane wave, and whose nonreciprocity...
self-luminous light sourceAny material that derives its energy from chemically or electrically induced reactions; isotope or radium excitation is used...
custom opticA custom optic refers to an optical component that is designed, manufactured, and tailored to meet specific requirements or...
photon sieveA photon sieve is an optical device used in the field of optics and imaging. It's designed to focus and shape light,...
thermogramAlso known as analog thermogram. The resultant photograph, illustrating, in tones ranging from black to white, the spatial...
mean spherical luminous intensityThe average luminous intensity of a point light source measured over all directions.
critical angleThe least angle of incidence at which total internal reflection takes place. The angle of incidence in a denser medium, at...
gated image tubeAn intensified charge-coupled device that uses a large negative charge at the grid to switch off the flow of electrons at...
modal noiseIn an optical system, noise created by mode-dependent optical losses and variations in the distribution of radiant power...
holographyHolography is a technique used to capture and reconstruct three-dimensional images using the principles of interference and...
embedded visionEmbedded vision refers to the integration of computer vision technologies into various embedded systems, devices, or...
spectrophotoelectricCharacteristic of the relationship between photoelectric activity and the wavelength of incident radiation.
negative-refraction metamaterialAn artificial material, engineered to have a negative refractive index value, such that light or any other form of...
micro-LEDMicro-LED (micro-light-emitting diode) refers to a technology that involves the use of very small light-emitting diodes to...
astronomical telescopeAn astronomical telescope is a type of optical instrument designed to gather and magnify light from distant celestial...
ferroelectric materialsFerroelectric materials are a type of dielectric materials that exhibit spontaneous electric polarization, meaning they...
cylindrical lensA cylindrical lens is an optical component that has different curvatures along its two orthogonal axes, resulting in a shape...
leading edge spikeIn a sequence of laser pulse emissions, the intitial pulse that often helps initiate a reaction at the target surface,...
multijunction deviceA photovoltaic device that consists of multiple p-n junctions to produce a greater efficiency when in use than that of...
FMCW lidarFMCW lidar stands for frequency-modulated continuous wave lidar. It is a type of lidar (light detection and ranging)...
optical ceramicsTransparent glassy and or crystalline structured materials engineered from inorganic, non-metallic materials via various...
mercury arcAn electric arc that is formed in mercury vapor through which an electric current flows. The intensity of the illumination...
convexConvex is an adjective used to describe a surface or shape that curves outward, bulges, or has a rounded and outwardly...
mode sweepingA form of laser output noise that is caused by thermal, mechanical, or acoustical disturbances of the cavity length. Mode...
photodiode detectorA photodiode detector is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It operates based on the...
ultraviolet fiber opticsUltraviolet (UV) fiber optics refers to optical fibers that are designed and optimized for the transmission of ultraviolet...
solid-state laserA solid-state laser is a type of laser that uses a solid gain medium (as opposed to a liquid or gas) to produce coherent...
optical filterAn optical filter is a device that selectively transmits or blocks specific wavelengths, or colors, of light. Optical...
microstereologyMicroscopic investigation of two-dimensional areas of a three-dimensional object that can be quantitatively evaluated by...
light-activated silicon-controlled switchSimilar to LASCR, except that all four regions are available.
Fourier transformAny of the various methods of decomposing a signal into a set of coefficients of orthogonal waveforms (trigonometric...
low-loss fiberOptical fiber that transmits a greater percentage of input light than does high-loss step-index fiber. Low-loss fiber...
photoacoustic calorimetryPeriodic interruptions of a light beam incident on an absorbing medium that produce heat, expansion and acoustic wave...
III-V materialIn semiconductor physics and materials science, the term "III-V materials" refers to compounds composed of elements from...
nanophotonicsNanophotonics is a branch of science and technology that explores the behavior of light on the nanometer scale, typically at...
active transportThe transport of molecules in a cell which requires the use of a cell's internal energy. The energy used in the cell may be...
ophthalmologyOphthalmology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eyes and visual system....
chromatic aberrationChromatic aberration is an optical phenomenon that occurs when different wavelengths (colors) of light are refracted by a...
metal componentAn accurate metal prism or plane parallel plate that is cemented to an optical element and remains with it during a series...
ground truthA term variously applied to remote sensing techniques that essentially refers to all parametric conditions that influence...
spectrometric oil analysisAn analytical technique used to determine, identify and localize impending malfunctions. It is based upon quantitative and...
phase maskIn optics and photolithography, a phase mask refers to a device that modifies the phase of light waves passing through it....
microRNAMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, single-stranded RNA molecules, typically consisting of about 19 to 24 nucleotides,...
autocollimatorAn autocollimator is an optical instrument used for measuring small angular deviations with high precision. It operates on...
stylus profilometerA measuring instrument used for surface profiling and quantifying the roughness of a material. The stylus is placed on the...
hyperspectral imaging cameraA hyperspectral imaging camera is a sophisticated imaging device capable of capturing and processing data across a wide...
fiber-coupled LEDA fiber-coupled LED (light-emitting diode) refers to an LED device that is optically coupled to an optical fiber for the...
attosecond photonics sourcesAttosecond photonics sources refer to devices or systems that generate extremely short pulses of light on the order of...
photoplethysmographyPhotoplethysmography (PPG) is a non-invasive optical technique used to detect changes in blood volume in tissues. It...
qubitA qubit, short for quantum bit, is the fundamental unit of information in quantum computing and quantum information...
local oscillator laserIn coherent optical communications systems, a laser used at the receiving end to produce a steady wave that is combined with...
emission spectrumAn emission spectrum is a graphical representation or a characteristic pattern of the wavelengths or frequencies of light...
mutual coherent functionA function that quantifies the performance degradation of coherent communications systems, imaging systems and all systems...
bi-quartzA double block formed by placing two adjoining, equally thick sections of quartz, one being dextrorotary, the other...
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...
photonicsThe technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The...
tolerancingThe determination of the degree to which a manufactured component can deviate from its ideal specifications of material and...
antigenAn antigen is any substance that is capable of triggering an immune response in an organism. Antigens are typically proteins...
symmetrical lensA lens system made up of two sets of similar lenses, each of which compensates for many of the aberrations produced by the...
split-crown triplet lensA lens derived from the Cooke triplet anastigmat, but with one of the crown elements split in two, resulting in improved...
brightfieldBrightfield refers to a type of microscopy and imaging technique in which the specimen is illuminated with a white light...
magnetic force microscopeA variation of the atomic force microscope that operates by scanning a tiny ferromagnetic probe (or a magnetized tip) over a...
luminous intensityLuminous flux emitted by a source in a given range of directions; the unit of measure is the lumen/steradian, now known as...
ospinOpsins are a group of light-sensitive proteins found primarily in the retinas of vertebrate and invertebrate eyes, as well...
frequency domainThe frequency domain is a concept used in signal processing and analysis to represent signals and data in terms of their...
nanopositioningNanopositioning refers to the precise and controlled movement or manipulation of objects or components at the nanometer...
spinthariscopeA device through which scintillations are observed or counted through a magnifying lens system.
shot noiseNoise generated by the random variations in the number and velocity of the electrons from an emitter.
vanadate laserLasers based on neodymium-doped yttrium or gadolinium vanadate crystals. These include yttrium vanadate (Nd:YVO4),...
nanotubeA nanotube, also known as a nanotubule or simply a tube-like structure, is a nanoscale cylindrical structure composed of...
FC connectorThe fiber optic connector standard for Nippon Telephone & Telegraph (NTT) installations, developed with Nippon Electric...
avalanche photodiodeA device that utilizes avalanche multiplication of photocurrent by means of hole-electrons created by absorbed photons. When...
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...
image converterAn electron tube that employs electromagnetic radiation to produce a visual replica of an image produced on its cathode....
2D profile sensorA 2D profile sensor is a type of sensor used in various industrial and technological applications to measure and capture...
color comparator1. A device used in chemistry to compare the colors of solutions held in flat-bottomed tubes and viewed along the length of...
lensless microscopyLensless microscopy, also known as computational or holographic microscopy, is an imaging technique that captures and...
photomaskA photomask, also known simply as a mask or reticle, is a key component in the photolithography process used in...
spatial modeAlso known as transverse mode. The configurations of energy storage, relative to the structure of a laser resonator, that...
star testingThe visual examination by a trained observer of the image of a point source. Any coloring or departure from the Airy disc...
quantum efficiencyQuantum efficiency (QE) is a measure of the effectiveness with which a device or system, typically in the context of...
radial distribution methodA statistical analysis of facts obtained when the intensity of x-ray diffraction is calculated at different angles. In this...
hysteresisThis term literally means "to lag behind.'' It is quite often used to describe the residual effect that remains after...
metaverseThe term "metaverse" refers to a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical...
atomic force microscopeAn atomic force microscope (AFM) is a high-resolution imaging and measurement instrument used in nanotechnology, materials...
diffuse reflectance spectroscopyDiffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a nondestructive analytical technique used to investigate the optical properties...
structural colorStructural color refers to coloration in materials that is not caused by pigments or dyes but is instead a result of the...
orthonormalizationOptimization method used in optical design computer programs that employs a variable-by-variable approach to construct new...
in vivoIn vivo is a Latin term that translates to "within the living." In scientific contexts, particularly in biology and...
service-mount deviceA surface-mount device (SMD) is an electronic component that is mounted directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board...
solid-state lampAn electroluminescent semiconductor that emits low intensity radiation in the green or red regions. Used as an indicator...
sapphireSapphire refers to a crystalline form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that is used in various optical and photonic applications...
hydroxyl ion absorptionAn optical fiber's absorption of electromagnetic waves due to hydroxyl ions remaining after contact with water.
angular spectrum approachThe angular spectrum approach is a mathematical and computational technique used in the field of optics to analyze and...
gray-scale modificationImage enhancement operations that involve altering gray-scale values. For instance, brightness sliding involves adding or...
mid-wave infraredMWIR stands for mid-wave infrared, referring to a specific range of wavelengths within the infrared spectrum. Infrared...
McClatchey modelCalculation of gas and aerosol transmission and emission characteristics for several model atmospheres, including two model...
quantum-limited operationOperation in which the minimum detectable signal is set because of variations in the average signal current; e.g., quantum...
saturation1. The decrease of the absorption (or gain) coefficient of a medium near some transition frequency when the power of the...
receiver primariesAlso known as display primaries. Colors formed by a television receiver that are of constant chromaticity and variable...
heterodyneThe interaction between two oscillations of unlike frequencies that forms other oscillations, specifically those with a...
heat waveIn reference to infrared, emissions that are like radio waves but that have a higher frequency.
adjacency effectWith respect to photography, the change in the density-exposure relations, for small details of the photographic image, that...
polygonal mirrorA polygonal mirror, also known as a multifaceted mirror or facet mirror, is a type of optical component used in various...
double refractionThe separation of unpolarized light into two plane-polarized elements by a doubly refracting crystal. When a crystal, such...
blaze heightBlaze height typically refers to a parameter in the context of diffraction gratings, which are optical devices consisting of...
bacteriorhodopsinA light-harvesting protein found in the purple membrane of a micro-organism called Halobacterium halobium. The protein...
moiré topographyContour mapping technique that involves positioning a grating close to an object and observing its shadow on the object...
optical latticeA periodic structure formed by intersecting or superimposed laser beams. These beams can trap atoms in low-potential...
sapphire optical fiberSapphire optical fiber is a type of optical fiber made from single-crystal sapphire, which is a form of aluminum oxide...
beam shaperA beam shaper is an optical device or system designed to modify the spatial profile or intensity distribution of a laser or...
optical repeaterIn an optical fiber or waveguide communications system, an optoelectronic device or module that receives an optical signal,...
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...
spectral luminous efficiencyRatio of the radiant flux at a particular wavelength lm to that at any other wavelength l, such that both radiations produce...
alexandrite lasersAn alexandrite laser is a solid-state laser that utilizes a synthetic crystal made from the rare earth element alexandrite...
Brewster's angleFor light incident on a plane boundary between two regions having different refractive indices, the angle of incidence at...
extrinsic propertiesThe properties exhibited by a semiconductor as the result of its modification by imperfections and impurities in the crystal.
diffraction gratingA diffraction grating is an optical component consisting of a surface with a periodic structure of equally spaced, parallel...
beam shuttleA set of mirrors mounted on solenoids to move them into and out of the path of a laser beam, making it possible for multiple...
photovoltaicPhotovoltaic (PV) refers to a technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductors. The term...
line-scan cameraA line-scan camera, also known as a line-scan image sensor or linear array camera, is a type of digital camera designed to...
motion controllerIn optics, a motion controller refers to a device or system that precisely controls the movement of optical components, such...
front porchIn communcations and video signals, the portion of a composite signal between the leading edge of the horizontal blanking...
linear receive opticsLinear receive optics typically refers to the optical components and systems used in the reception (detection) of linearly...
parallel scanningParallel scanning refers to a method of acquiring data or images simultaneously from multiple sources or in parallel, rather...
infrared opticInfrared optics refer to optical components and systems designed to manipulate and control infrared (IR) light, which lies...
chiralityChirality is a property of certain molecules and objects in which they are non-superimposable on their mirror images. In...
integration timeIntegration time, in the context of optics, imaging systems, and sensor technology, refers to the duration over which a...
mirageThe distortion of an object's true image as the result of abnormal atmospheric disturbances along the path traveled by the...
infrared light sourceAn infrared light source is a device that emits light in the infrared spectrum, which lies beyond the visible spectrum of...
neuromorphicNeuromorphic refers to the design and development of computing systems or devices that are inspired by the structure and...
fused quartz and silicaFused quartz and silica are closely related materials, both composed primarily of silicon dioxide (SiO2), but they are...
chemical vapor depositionChemical vapor deposition is a process of applying dopants to a glass bait by flame reactions of gaseous compounds. See also...
trunkIn a fiber optic communications network, a circuit that connects two switching centers and does not branch off to terminal...
fiber optic imaging bundleA fiber optic imaging bundle is a specialized optical device composed of multiple optical fibers bundled together. Each...
laser opticsLaser optics refers to a broad category of optical components and systems designed for manipulating and controlling laser...
real-time processingThe ability of a vision system to interpret an image in a short enough time to keep pace with most operations.
multispectral imagingMultispectral imaging is a technique that involves capturing and analyzing images at multiple discrete spectral bands within...
spectral order (diffraction grating)When, for example, a beam of monochromatic light passes through a diffraction grating, the emergent rays that have remained...
positroniumBasically, a hydrogen atom with two alterations, positronium is the lightest atom in the universe and has an extremely light...
polarizationPolarization refers to the orientation of oscillations in a transverse wave, such as light waves, radio waves, or other...
lateral shearing interferometerA lateral shearing interferometer is an optical device used in interferometry to measure phase differences between two beams...
hyperspectral resolutionHyperspectral resolution refers to the level of detail or granularity in the spectral information captured by a...
azimuthal polarizationAzimuthal polarization refers to a specific polarization state of light where the electric field vector of the...
metal vapor laserDevices in which the lasing medium is a vapor of metal atoms or ions, sometimes mixed with another gas. Metal vapor lasers...
birefringenceBirefringence is an optical property of certain materials that causes them to exhibit different refractive indices for light...
centering1. Mounting a lens or mirror so that its optical axis is coincident with the optical or mechanical axes of other portions of...
logic diagramA diagram that uses special symbols called logic symbols to represent the detailed functioning of electronic logic circuits....
pathogenA pathogen is a biological agent, such as a virus, bacterium, fungus, protozoan, or parasite, that causes disease in its...
magnetometerA magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and/or direction of a magnetic field. It can detect...
time domainThe time domain is a concept used in signal processing and analysis to describe signals in terms of their behavior over...
plasma acceleratorA plasma accelerator is a type of particle accelerator that uses electric fields and magnetic fields to accelerate charged...
mean spherical intensityThe average intensity of a light source measured over all directions.
dynamic theoryThe theoretical explanation and analysis of the interactions between electron waves and crystals used in studying electron...
spot meterA telescopic light-sensing meter used to measure illumination levels of small regions at a distance of many feet; it is used...
gallium arsenide phosphideGallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) is a semiconductor alloy composed of gallium (Ga), arsenic (As), and phosphorus (P). It...
surface-enhanced Raman scatteringSurface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique that enhances the Raman scattering signal of...
modulation bandwidthThe highest frequency at which a laser diode can be driven and still be modulated acceptably that further results in the...
mesoscopeIn the field of optics and imaging, a mesoscope refers to an optical instrument that is designed to observe and capture...
coherent radiationRadiation in which the phase relationship between any two points in the radiation field has a constant difference, or is...
fifth-order aberrationsSecondary aberrations remaining after the primary (Seidel) aberrations have been corrected.
topologyTopology is a branch of mathematics that focuses on the properties of space that are preserved under continuous...
molecular motorA molecular motor refers to a nano-sized device composed of organic molecules or other small-scale components that can...
GRIN lensA GRIN (gradient index) lens is a type of optical lens that utilizes a gradient in refractive index across its volume rather...
pixel pitchPixel pitch refers to the distance between the centers of two adjacent pixels on a display screen or imaging sensor. It is...
mode-locked lasersMode-locking is a technique used in lasers to produce ultrashort pulses of light with durations on the order of picoseconds,...
near-infrared cameraA near-infrared (NIR) camera is an imaging device designed to capture images in the near-infrared region of the...
nanoimprint lithographyNanoimprint lithography (NIL) is a nanolithography technique used for fabricating nanoscale patterns on a substrate. It is a...
polaritonA polariton is a quasiparticle resulting from the strong coupling between photons (light particles) and certain types of...
spectral pyrheliometerAny pyrheliometer that has a filter placed over its sensor to limit the range of solar radiation it will detect; used to...
optically uniaxial crystalA transparent crystalline substance in which the refractive index of the optic axis (extraordinary axis) is different from...
Fermat's principleThe principle that a light ray extending from one point to another will, after any number of reflections and refractions,...
optical beam steeringDirecting an optical beam in varying directions by varying reflection, refraction, focusing and diffraction methods.
Nichols radiometerAn instrument devised by Nichols and Hull for use in the measurement of radiation pressure. The device has two small...
microheterogeneous systemsExtremely small organic and inorganic systems of molecules within a substance. In general, systems are colloidal size in...
flame spectrometryThe procedure applied to flame-excited line emissions to determine spectra and wavelengths.
nonionizing radiationRadiation that does not produce free electrons and ions, or electrically charged particles.
universal wavelength functionOne of the four functions that allows the computation of a transparent medium's index of refraction, provided the index has...
Er:YAG laserAn Er:YAG laser is a type of solid-state laser that uses a crystal made of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet...
spectrogrammetric reading equipmentSpectra can be conveniently recorded on photographic film or plates. The portions that are occupied by regions of the...
light pipeTransparent matter that usually is drawn into a cylindrical, pyramidical or conical shape through which light is channeled...
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...
Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensorThe Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is an optical device used for measuring the wavefront aberrations of an optical system....
transfer blockingA process used to control thickness and parallelism precisely during the production of plane-parallel plates. Elements are...
MSM photodiodeA metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiode is a type of photodetector that consists of metal electrodes on a semiconductor...
topological photonicsTopological photonics is a branch of physics and optics that explores the application of topological concepts to the...
flow cytometryFlow cytometry is a powerful technique used in biology and medicine for the quantitative analysis of the physical and...
Weissenberg methodThe Weissenberg method, named after the German physicist Karl Weissenberg, is a technique used in x-ray crystallography for...
colorimeterA colorimeter is a device used to measure and quantify the color characteristics of an object or a light source. It provides...
laser cloud mapperA scanning laser radar system applied to transmission and concentration analysis in three dimensions of clouds as well as...
photographic dosimetryThe use of photographic emulsions to detect and determine the amounts of ionizing radiation, such as x-rays and gamma rays,...
facsimile synchronizingThe maintenance of the same scanning relationship between the transmitting scanning spot and receiving scanning spot for...
noiseThe unwanted and unpredictable fluctuations that distort a received signal and hence tend to obscure the desired message....
beam matrix1. A geometrical arrangement of two or more light beams for use in laser shows, object detection or other applications...
electrophoretic displayAn electrophoretic display, often referred to as an electronic paper display or e-paper display, is a type of electronic...
color centerA color center, in the context of materials science and condensed matter physics, refers to a specific type of...
image intensifierAn image intensifier, also known as an image intensification tube or image intensification device, is a specialized...
decision-tree classificationA structural method of optical character recognition, used where the input media are variable, as in hand-written or...
indirect illuminationThe light formed by visible radiation that, in traveling from light source to object, undergoes one or more reflections. In...
ground glassA plate of glass in which a face has been frosted by grinding or etching. It diffuses light by scattering in directions...
retina cameraA special-purpose camera used by ophthalmologists to photograph the retina of the eye. The optical system operates through...
grapheneGraphene is a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal...
detector noise-limited operationIn optical communication systems, operations in which the amplitude of the pulses, as opposed to their width, determines the...
spectral flow cytometrySpectral flow cytometry is an advanced flow cytometry technique that expands the capabilities of traditional flow cytometry...
optical glassOptical glass refers to a type of glass specifically engineered and manufactured for use in optical components and systems,...
rare earth dopantsRare earth dopants refer to elements from the lanthanide series, also known as rare earth elements, that are intentionally...
laser controlled areaArea in which laser operation occurs and therefore safety requirements are met and regulations are implemented. Lasers...
sputtering targetA sputtering target is a solid material used in the process of physical vapor deposition (PVD), specifically sputtering....
slow-scan televisionA television system that uses a slow rate of horizontal scanning to increase its reproduction and transmittance accuracy of...
density matrix formulationThe exact mathematical description of the interactions of matter and intense electromagnetic fields, such as those that...
artificial intelligenceThe ability of a machine to perform certain complex functions normally associated with human intelligence, such as judgment,...
electron multiplication charge-coupled device cameraAn EMCCD (electron-multiplying charge-coupled device) camera is a type of scientific camera specifically designed for...
hyperchromic shiftHyperchromic shift refers to an increase in the absorption of light, leading to a higher absorbance, often observed in...
sensitized fluorescenceThe optical energy transfer between ions of differing atoms.
geometric opticsA field of physics that deals with light as if it truly were composed of rays diverging in various directions from the...
machine vision systemA machine vision system is an integrated combination of hardware and software components designed to capture, process, and...
mapping functionIn image processing, the mathematical relationships that link pixel brightnesses of input images to those of output images...
electrowetting displayAn electrowetting display (EWD) is a type of electronic display technology that utilizes the principles of electrowetting to...
transducerA transducer is a device or component that converts one form of energy into another. It is commonly used in various fields,...
zero-order transmission gratingA polyethylene grating that transmits the long wavelengths and diffracts shorter wavelengths in controlled directions.
Young's modulusThe constant equal to the unit stress divided by unit deformation, relative to all values and a substance's proportional...
morphological processingA set of algorithms used to study the structural and spatial characteristics of objects in a digitized image for...
ephemerisA tabulation of predicted positions that have been calculated for one or more celestial bodies or orbiting satellites.
quantumThe term quantum refers to the fundamental unit or discrete amount of a physical quantity involved in interactions at the...
laser sinteringLaser sintering is an additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing technology that involves using a laser to selectively fuse...
silicon carbide light-emitting diodesSilicon carbide (SiC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current is...
sandwich holographyThe simultaneous exposure of two holographic plates with emulsions facing the object. After deformation, a second pair of...
radiantPertaining to electromagnetic radiation, with the contributions at all wavelengths of interest weighted equally.
holmium laserHolmium lasers are a type of medical laser that utilizes holmium-doped crystals as the gain medium. The term holmium laser...
power modulationPower modulation refers to the intentional variation of power levels in a signal, often in the context of electronic...
neuromorphic vision sensorA neuromorphic vision sensor is a type of imaging device designed to mimic the structure and functioning of the human visual...
etalonAn etalon is an optical device that consists of two parallel reflecting surfaces separated by a precise and known distance....
monochromatorA monochromator is an optical instrument used to isolate and select a narrow range of wavelengths from a broader spectrum of...
virtual realityVirtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment or experience that can be...
sky filterA filter designed to decrease the luminosity of the sky without decreasing that of the landscape in the foreground. A filter...
photonic cavityA photonic cavity, also known as an optical cavity, is a structure that confines electromagnetic radiation within a certain...
twisted intramolecular charge transferTwisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) is a phenomenon observed in certain organic molecules containing...
stroke patternThe pattern formed by a character generation cathode-ray tube system, in which the characters are composed of a sequence of...
radiologyThe study of radioactive substances and high-energy radiations such as x-rays and g-rays.
spectroscopySpectroscopy is a technique used in the study of interactions between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It involves...
ultraviolet reflectanceUltraviolet reflectance refers to the ability of a material or surface to reflect UV light. Ultraviolet light is...
optical combinerAn optical combiner, in the context of optics and display technologies, refers to a device or component that combines...
design and engineering consulting servicesDesign and engineering consulting services refer to professional services provided by specialized firms or individuals to...
neodymium:YAGLiterally, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet. A cylindrical rod of yttrium-aluminum-garnet doped with neodymium that is the...
COMINTAn acronym for communications intelligence, referring to the collection of communications signals in the VHF and UHF...
linewidth1. The range of frequencies or wavelengths over which radiations are absorbed or emitted in a transition between a specific...
high-loss fiberOptical fiber in which the attenuation exceeds the normally acceptable level for long-haul or data communications use.
Manufacturing Automation ProtocolA computerized token-passing local area network (LAN) configuration adopted by General Motors for real time control over the...
negative ghostA ghost image that has the reverse lightness relations of the original image. This phenomenon is a common optical illusion...
microfilm equipmentTwo essential pieces of equipment used in connection with the microfilming process: a camera capable of producing, on film,...
kinetic coolingAn atmospheric nonlinear process unique to CO2 laser wavelengths, whereby CO2 absorbs 10.6-µm radiation and the CO2...
spectrographAn optical instrument for forming the spectrum of a light source and recording it on a film. The dispersing medium may be a...
grating prismA specific, right-angle prism having a transmission grating replicated on its hypotenuse face and used in applications...
free-space opticsFree-space optics (FSO), also known as optical wireless communication or optical wireless networking, refers to the...
atom opticsThe area of optics in which the wave nature of a particle is exploited to carry out very accurate interferometry and other...
calcium fluorideAn optical material used in place of crown glass to produce lenses with extraordinary correction of chromatic aberrations....
scattered light filterA specific type of filter designed to reduce the amount of light scattered by reflections from the edges of optical...
mirror blankA mirror blank refers to the initial piece of material from which a mirror is made. It is typically a flat or slightly...
cascade tubeAn instrument consisting of a high-voltage vacuum tube used to form hard x-rays or high-speed ion beams. By partitioning the...
total fluxThe luminous flux emitted by a light source in all directions.
subscriber loopThat portion of the telecommunications network that runs from a local central telephone to the subscriber premises.
probe cardA probe card is a testing device used in the semiconductor manufacturing industry to evaluate and test the electrical...
piezoelectric transducers and ceramic materialsPiezoelectric transducers are devices that utilize the piezoelectric effect to convert electrical energy into mechanical...
machine vision lensA machine vision lens is a specialized optical lens designed for use in machine vision systems, which are used for automated...
in vitroIn vitro is a Latin term that translates to "in glass." In scientific contexts, particularly in biology and medicine, it...
white balanceA feature of some imaging devices, such as digital cameras, that allows them to compensate for different lighting conditions...
minimum object distanceMinimum object distance, often abbreviated as MOD, refers to the closest distance at which a camera lens or optical system...
thin-film deposition equipmentThin-film deposition equipment refers to machinery and tools used in the process of depositing thin layers of material onto...
phase matchingPhase matching is a crucial concept in the field of optics, particularly in nonlinear optics and the generation of coherent...
heterodyningIn optical communications, the translation of optical signals into radio signals, lowering their frequency in detection from...
coronal holesSolar regions characterized by low density and open magnetic fields where high-speed solar wind streams originate....
mode partitioningThe pulse-to-pulse fluctuations in power distribution among modes of a Fabry-Perot laser, which can result in...
analog outputInformation presented as a continuously variable relationship between a signal and a standard.
single-photon avalanche diodeA single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is a specialized type of photodetector designed to detect extremely weak optical...
region-of-interest processingImage processing operations performed on one area of an image.
photodetectorA photodetector, also known as a photosensor or photodiode, is a device that detects and converts light into an electrical...
impurity levelIn the context of optical materials, the term "impurity level" refers to the presence of foreign atoms or molecules within...
multispectral photographyThe use of narrow bandpass filters and special photographic emulsions to discern features of a surface that would not be...
virtual histologyVirtual histology refers to the use of digital technology and computational methods to simulate or recreate histological...
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...
neural networkA computing paradigm that attempts to process information in a manner similar to that of the brain; it differs from...
camera reductionThe use of the photographic process to produce precision copies of an original image that are many times smaller in size....
jitter1. In relation to cathode-ray tube displays, errors in the signal's amplitude, phase or both that result in small, rapid...
reactive evaporationReactive evaporation refers to a process in thin-film deposition where a material is deposited onto a substrate through...
evaporation coatingCoating carried out in a sealed chamber evacuated by a mechanical pump in series with an oil diffusion pump to a pressure...
microelectromechanical systemsRefers to micron-size complex machines that have physical dimensions suitable for the fabrication of optical switches for...
anisotropyAnisotropy refers to the property of exhibiting different values or characteristics when measured in different directions....
phototheranosticsPhototheranostics, a portmanteau of "photo" (light), "therapy," and "diagnostics," refers to an emerging field that combines...
colorimetric photometerA photometer that uses a set of color filters to measure the intensity of light in various regions of the spectrum.
quantum noiseNoise generated within an optical communications system link that has both internal (dark current) and external (background...
anamorphic distortionA type of distortion in which the magnification varies in different orientations, the directions of maximum and minimum...
optical blankA casting consisting of an optical material molded into the desired geometry for grinding, polishing or, in the case of...
carbonizationCarbonization is a process in which organic materials are heated in the absence of air, leading to the decomposition of the...
central processing unitThe computer module whose circuitry interprets instructions and guides the actions of the peripherals. Also known as the...
toric surfaceA surface that is swept out by revolving a circle about an axis that lies in the plane of the circle but that does not...
fiber optic transceiverA fiber optic transceiver, often simply referred to as an "optical transceiver," is a device used in fiber optic...
Fresnel rhombA type of quarter-wave retarder in the form of a glass rhomb; light entering the retarder undergoes two total internal...
computer-generated hologramA computer-generated hologram (CGH) is a holographic image produced using computational methods and algorithms, rather than...
Bessel functionsTwo formulas used in diffractometer analysis, the first giving the individual diffraction patterns of each aperture, the...
mask proximity correctionA technique used in photolithography of computer chips to compensate for errors caused by the proximity effect, which...
spectral signatureA spectral signature, in the context of remote sensing and spectroscopy, refers to the unique pattern or characteristic...
active-matrix liquid crystal displayWhen applied to LCD grids, the active matrix is a means of supplying power to pixels by use of a transistor and capacitor....
cleanroomAn area in which airborne particulates can be monitored and controlled so that given size particles do not exceed a...
split lensA close-up lens, semicircular in shape, that is mounted in front of a conventional lens focused at infinity. The result is...
sun-tracking concentratorControlled beam technology that introduces beams of sunlight through holes in a roof that are relayed throughout the...
laser photochemistryThe study concerned with the stimulation of chemical activity by laser light as a result of the absorption of photons by a...
optical fiber optic switchesOptical fiber optic switches are devices used in optical fiber communication systems to selectively route optical signals...
pixel binningPixel binning, also known as pixel merging or pixel combining, is a technique used in digital imaging and camera technology....
laser desorptionA process of forming ions within a given molecular species by incident laser light. The molecular species may remain intact,...
Photoelastic equipment and suppliesPhotoelastic equipment and supplies refer to instruments and materials used in photoelasticity, a technique used to analyze...
contour projection chartA large-scale, precise drawing of the contours of a perfect mechanical part, often with plus and minus tolerances drawn or...
processed hologramA superposition of many zone plates, each reconstructing a real and virtual point image at the appropriate locations upon...
optical channel monitorAn optical channel monitor (OCM) is a device used in optical communication systems to monitor and analyze the performance of...
flow channelIn various fields such as fluid dynamics, microfluidics, and biotechnology, a flow channel refers to a defined pathway...
optofluidicsOptofluidics is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles from optics and fluidics to create devices and systems...
Abbe condenserA two-lens arrangement intended to image light into a microscope slide sample. The primary aberrations present are red and...
near-infrared spectroscopyNear-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive analytical technique that uses the near-infrared region of the...
digital twinA digital twin refers to a virtual representation or digital counterpart of a physical object, system, or process. This...
optical coatingsOptical coatings are thin layers of materials applied to optical components, such as lenses, mirrors, filters, and prisms,...
optoisolatorAn optical coupling device that uses light to bridge the gap between incompatible wire communications systems. It contains...
cold atomCold atoms refer to atoms that have been cooled to extremely low temperatures, typically in the microkelvin (µK) to...
etaloningEtaloning is an optical phenomenon that occurs in imaging systems, particularly in devices such as spectrometers,...
integrated opticsA thin-film device containing miniature optical components connected via optical waveguides on a transparent dielectric...
optical coherence tomography imaging systemOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technique used in medical diagnostics and biomedical research to obtain...
particle accelerationParticle acceleration refers to the process by which charged particles, such as electrons or protons, gain kinetic energy...
half duplexA communications system that can transmit in only a single direction at a time. See duplex.
epitaxial equipmentEpitaxial equipment refers to a set of specialized tools and systems used in the process of epitaxy, which is the growth of...
polymerPolymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units called monomers. These monomers are chemically bonded...
Gaussian beam opticsThe area of optics that deals with the propagation of Gaussian laser beams in free space, or any general medium - i.e....
tristimulus integrationComputation of tristimulus values by integrating or summing, over the visible wavelength region, the product of the relative...
vibronic transitionA type of change in the energy levels of molecules in a laser that results in lasing action. Vibronic transitions are those...
averaged threshold receiverA receiver for optical communications systems consisting of a symmetric binary, pulse-code-modulated transmitter, a...
flexible displayA flexible display refers to a type of electronic visual display that is designed to be bendable, foldable, or rollable,...
pyramid errorPyramid error in optics refers to an aberration in the shape of an optical surface, particularly in the context of mirrors....
surface-enhanced Raman optical data storageA technique of optical storage whereby information is encoded by molecular alterations in the interaction between the...
mixed crystalA homogeneous solid solution with crystal lattice sites occupied, at random, by the molecules or ions of two or more...
optoelectronicPertaining to a device that responds to optical power, emits or modifies optical radiation, or utilizes optical radiation...
waveguide scatteringScattering (other than material scattering) that is attributable to variations of geometry and index profile of the...
strain viewerA viewer that uses the transmittance of polarized light through glass or a similar medium to examine strained regions. See...
computer numerically controlled grindingComputer numerically controlled (CNC) grinding is a manufacturing process that utilizes computerized controls and precision...
pushbroom scanningPushbroom scanning is a technique used in remote sensing and imaging systems, particularly in satellite and aerial sensors,...
fiber distributed data interfaceA standard for fiber optic data transmission systems being developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and...
Craik-O'Brien effectObserved when alterations in the luminous sterance at the contour of an object create the illusion of the outer zones...
silicon photodiodeA silicon photodiode is a semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current. It is a type of photodetector...
clippingA defect in an optical system that prevents rays from reaching their intended destination; it can be caused by an undersized...
photonic integrated circuitA photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is a compact and integrated device that incorporates multiple photonic components and...
chalcogenideChalcogenide refers to a class of compounds containing elements from group 16 of the periodic table, which includes sulfur...
outgassingThe emission of gas or de-aeration due to thermal variations and often occurring in a vacuum. In a cleanroom, contamination...
television waveformThe graph of the oscillating variations composing the wave of a video signal.
laser-induced fluorescenceLaser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is a spectroscopic technique that involves using a laser to excite molecules or atoms,...
donpishaA type of asynchronous shutter device that is used particularly in CCD sensor applications to capture an image of a...
remote inspectionRemote inspection refers to the process of inspecting, evaluating, or monitoring assets, equipment, infrastructure, or...
light diffusionLight diffusion refers to the process by which light is scattered or spread out in various directions as it interacts with a...
near-field regionThe area closest to an aperture or source where the diffraction pattern differs substantially from that observed at an...
optically biaxial crystalOne of a class of crystalline substances belonging to triclinic, monoclinic and orthorhombic systems that have two optic...
histogramA graphic representation of a distribution function such as frequency by means of rectangles whose widths represent the...
dielectric constantA number that indicates the magnitude of the shift in a solid of positive and negative charges in opposite directions when a...
anomalous propagationIrregular propagation of a wave due to variations in the medium's density or refractive index.
sensitometryPrimarily the measurement of photographic sensitivity of certain materials such as photographic film. It refers to the...
single-photon-decay spectroscopyA technique for observing the decay of light emissions from sources following their pulsed excitations, based on recording...
Secondary Speckle PatternA self-interference effect that generates random patterns; secondary speckle pattern (SSP) typically occurs in diffuse...
CCD cameraA CCD camera, or charge-coupled device camera, is a type of digital camera that utilizes a CCD image sensor to capture and...
intensified charge-coupled device cameraAn intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera is an advanced imaging device that combines the capabilities of both an...
photoconductivityThe conductivity increase exhibited by some nonmetallic materials, resulting from the free carriers generated when photon...
vacuum apparatusEquipment dependent on the effects of a vacuum. The principal applications in optics are in the coating of lenses and...
angle-tracking systemA system in which a sequence of direct measurements of the target position is fed into a tracking filter that may produce...
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...
integrated optical circuitAn optical circuit, either monolithic or hybrid, composed of active and passive components, used for coupling between...
PockelsIn optics, the Pockels effect refers to the phenomenon where the refractive index of a material changes in response to an...
halo1. The faintly hued ring that is seen to surround a light source viewed through fog or light clouds. The size of scattering...
whispering gallery modeWhispering gallery mode (WGM) refers to a phenomenon in wave physics, particularly in optics, where waves, such as light or...
solar simulatorA solar simulator is a device used to replicate the spectrum and intensity of sunlight in a controlled environment for...
line spectrumA spectrum formed by radiation whose energy values of the property being measured cluster about at least one discrete value,...
magnetic lensAn arranged series of coils, magnets or electromagnets disposed in such a way that the resulting magnetic fields generate a...
functional near-infrared spectroscopyFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that measures changes in hemoglobin...
sondeA ruggedized scintillation counter used in oil well logging. The cylindrical housing contains a gamma ray source, a...
telemeter1. The term used to describe any of the many instruments used to remotely record physical dimensions, such as strain,...
phase conjugationThe use of a reflective device, which can be fashioned from a variety of materials including gases, solids, dyes, aerosols,...
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...
measuring eyepieceAlso known as an eyepiece micrometer. A microscope eyepiece that has a finely divided scale ruled or photographed on a...
environmental chamberA test chamber designed to expose the subject being tested to external conditions, such as heat, shock, pressure and...
plastic optical fiberPlastic optical fiber (POF) is a type of optical fiber made from transparent plastic, typically polymethylmethacrylate...
nitrogen vacancyA nitrogen vacancy (NV) refers to a specific type of defect or impurity in a crystal lattice where a nitrogen atom replaces...
recombinase polymerase amplificationRecombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a molecular biology technique used to rapidly amplify specific DNA or RNA...
metrologyMetrology is the science and practice of measurement. It encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement,...
long-wave infraredLong-wave infrared (LWIR) refers to a specific range of the infrared spectrum. Infrared radiation is divided into three main...
cathode sputteringThe method of disintegrating the substance of the cathode by bombarding it with ions and depositing it on another electrode...
machine vision lightingMachine vision lighting refers to the use of specific lighting techniques and equipment in the field of machine vision,...
oscillographAn instrument used to record rapidly varying currents or voltages. An oscillograph may consist of a cathode-ray tube...
azadioxatrianguleniumAzadioxatriangulenium is a type of organic compound with a unique triangular molecular structure. It is often abbreviated as...
bioluminescenceHeatless light emissions from living organisms caused by the combination of oxygen and pigments such as luciferin.
cesium 134An isotope of cesium that emits negative beta particles and has a half-life of 2.19 years; its applications include...
nanoAn SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other...
speckle patternA power intensity pattern produced by the mutual interference of partially coherent beams that are subject to minute...
rainbow hologramEssentially, a hologram of a hologram, in which the first-generation hologram is masked with a narrow slit. During image...
structured illumination microscopyStructured illumination microscopy (SIM) is an advanced optical imaging technique used in microscopy to enhance the...
synchronous transmissionA mode of transmission whereby the sending and receiving stations operate continuously at a fixed relationship of phase and...
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...
fluorescent proteinFluorescent proteins are proteins that exhibit the property of fluorescence, which is the ability to absorb light at a...
scattered seedsA term used to denote the condition of a few easily visible coarse inclusions within a blank of glass.
thermoplastic recording deviceA display device having a thermoplastic film as the control layer medium. The film, moving from a playoff reel, is scanned...
Mohs hardnessMaterial hardness scale that is used to characterize the scratch resistance of various materials. This surface hardness...
metallographyThe analysis of metal structure using an optical or electron microscope, generally with a camera, to record observations.
photochemistryThe study of chemical reactions stimulated by the properties of light.
vesicular imageAn image with variations in density due to the differential scattering ability of microscopic bubbles in a transparent layer.
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...
optically isotropic crystalA transparent crystalline substance that displays the same optical properties (i.e. refractive index) in all directions such...
liquid-surface holographyThe acoustical holographic process in which the hologram consists of slight elevations in a liquid surface, in the areas of...
liquid crystalLiquid crystals are a state of matter that exhibits properties intermediate between those of conventional liquids and solid...
Nernst glowerA Nernst glower, also known simply as a Nernst lamp or Nernst filament, is a type of incandescent lamp or radiant heater...
latticeIn photonics, a lattice refers to a periodic arrangement of optical elements or structures, often on a microscopic or...
interstitial siteA position inside a crystal lattice that is not one of the proper lattice sites in the crystal. Impurity ions of the proper...
distributed feedback laserA distributed feedback laser (DFB laser) is a type of semiconductor laser diode designed to emit coherent, narrow-bandwidth...
programmable logic controllerIn computerized industrial process control, the element that determines the choice and sequence of operations dependent on...
laser outputThe laser output refers to the generated and emitted light produced by a laser system. This output is characterized by...
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...
ring-laser gyroscopeA ring laser gyroscope (RLG) is a type of gyroscope that uses laser light to detect and measure changes in orientation. It...
magnetically focused image tubeA vacuum tube in which a magnetic field is superimposed onto the tube's electrical field. When the two fields are aligned,...
leptonThe generic term describing the class of light particles having no strong interactions.
London equationsThe partial differential equations for the spatial and time dependence of electric and magnetic fields inside a...
ordinary rayThe ray that has an isotropic speed and maintains a uniform polarization in all propagation directions when traveling in a...
multi-axis alignmentMulti-axis alignment refers to the process of aligning or adjusting components or systems in multiple spatial dimensions or...
lateral extensometerAn extensometer used to measure deformations in the thickness of a plate caused by tension, compression or other stress.
electrophoresisThe movement of particles or ions in a solution toward the electrode having the opposite sign because of the application of...
acoustophotorefractive effectThe change in refractive index that occurs as acoustic vibrations are transmitted through an optical material.The index...
corrected lensA compound lens, the dimensions and materials of which have been so chosen that the lens is appreciably free of aberrations.
thermographyThermography is a technique that involves the use of an infrared imaging device, called a thermal camera or infrared camera,...
transmitter central wavelength rangeThe central wavelength range of a transmitter based on the worst-case scenarios of temperature, manufacturing and other...
anastigmatA compound lens combination whose astigmatic difference is zero for one or more off-axis zones in the image plane. In such a...
cardinal pointsFocal, nodal or principal points of a lens. If the respective distances of the object and image are measured from the...
spectrophotometerA spectrophotometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the intensity of light at various wavelengths in the...
terahertz spectrometerA terahertz spectrometer is a scientific instrument used to measure and analyze the properties of materials in the terahertz...
waveguide nonreciprocal deviceA device that consists of two types of mode converters, one of which must be magnetic. It is nonreciprocal because the...
fluorescence microscopyFluorescence microscopy is a specialized optical imaging technique used in biology, chemistry, and materials science to...
Peltier coolerA Peltier cooler, also known as a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) or thermoelectric module, is a solid-state device that uses...
time-correlated single photon countingTime-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is a technique used in photon counting applications, particularly in the...
cathode radiant sensitivityCathode radiant sensitivity refers to the ability of a photocathode to convert incident radiant energy, typically in the...
spatial light modulatorA spatial light modulator (SLM) is an optical device that modulates or manipulates the amplitude, phase, or polarization of...
epitaxyA well controlled thin films technique for growing films with good crystal structure in ultra high vacuum environments at...
Penning dischargeA standard source of high-charge-state ions for accelerators that has an external magnetic field oriented perpendicularly to...
magneto-opticsMagneto-optics refers to the study and manipulation of the interaction between magnetic fields and light (electromagnetic...
aptamerAn aptamer is a short, single-stranded DNA or RNA molecule that can bind to a specific target molecule with high affinity...
polarization photometerA photometer having a pair of Nicol prisms introduced into the beam from the brighter of two sources to be compared. Turning...
laser isotope separationA process of isolation of various atom vapor ions by means of tuning a laser source. For example, laser enrichment is...
incomplete radiatorA thermal source that emits less radiation than a blackbody under identical temperature conditions.
flying spot scannerA device used to scan, with a small, intensely bright spot, portions of a picture surface and to transform the original...
calcium indicatorA calcium indicator is a molecule that is sensitive to changes in calcium ion (Ca2+) concentrations in biological systems....
masks for evaporation/depositionIn the context of thin film deposition processes such as evaporation or sputtering, masks are used to selectively deposit...
attenuated total reflectance spectroscopyAttenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy is a technique used in analytical chemistry to obtain IR spectra of samples....
internet of thingsThe internet of things (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other objects...
receiverA detector and signal demodulator used in optical communications systems to receive a signal and often to translate it into...
angstromAn angstrom, symbolized by the Ångström or Å, is a unit of length used to express atomic and molecular...
constant deviationThat property of certain optical devices, e.g., a penta prism, that maintains the angular relationship between the entering...
zero halogen thermoplasticA highly flame-retardant material used to jacket fiber optic cables, especially on shipboard applications.
photoluminescencePhotoluminescence is a phenomenon in which a material absorbs photons (light) at one wavelength and then re-emits photons at...
picosecond spectroscopyA method of measuring complex sequential photosynthetic reactions by varying the pulse time and wavelength of light...
angular trackingA laser radar application in which a sequence of direct measurements of target position is fed into a tracking filter to...
optoelectronicsOptoelectronics is a branch of electronics that focuses on the study and application of devices and systems that use light...
broadband filterA broadband filter is an electronic or electromagnetic device designed to pass a range of frequencies or signals within a...
v-coatA multilayer antireflective thin-film coating, so called because its reflectance rises steeply at wavelengths above and...
laser-mediated gene transferLaser-mediated gene transfer refers to a technique in molecular biology and genetic engineering that utilizes lasers to...
diamond-turned opticDiamond turning refers to a precision machining process used to produce complex optical components, particularly lenses and...
holographic interferometryThe interferometric analysis of a complex object by utilizing the three-dimensional hologram. By causing a laser beam to...
optical phase distortionOptical phase distortion refers to a phenomenon where the phase of an optical wavefront is altered as it propagates through...
near-infrared spectrometerA near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer is an analytical instrument used to measure the absorption, transmission, or reflection...
advanced photon sourceAn accelerator at the Argonne National Laboratory, providing powerful x-ray beams for materials research applications.
infrared light-emitting diodeAn infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) is a semiconductor device that emits infrared light when an electric current...
electron spectroscopyThe theory and interpretation of spectra produced by the electron emissions of substances after their irradiation by x-rays.
GaN distributed feedback lasersGaN (gallium nitride) distributed feedback (DFB) lasers refer to a specific type of semiconductor laser based on Gallium...
Brillouin scatteringBrillouin scattering is a phenomenon in physics where an incident electromagnetic wave (usually light) interacts with...
heavy seedsA condition in which the solid inclusions within a glass blank are very numerous, such as 25 or more to the square inch.
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...
photomultiplier tubeA photomultiplier tube (PMT) is a highly sensitive vacuum tube that detects and amplifies low levels of light. It is widely...
Bose-Einstein condensateA Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is a state of matter that forms at temperatures close to absolute zero. It is named after...
kidney-bean effectA dark region created by spherical aberration of an eyepiece's exit pupil. Because of the aberration, an observer's eye must...
phototransistorA solid-state device similar to an ordinary transistor except that incident light on the PN junctions regulates the response...
waveguideA waveguide is a physical structure or device that is designed to confine and guide electromagnetic waves, such as radio...
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...
transmitterIn fiber optic communications, a light source whose beam can be modulated and sent along an optical fiber, and the...
chelating agentAny of several compounds capable of binding heavy-metal ions, thereby preventing interaction between the bound ions and the...
CubeSatA CubeSat is a type of miniaturized satellite characterized by its standardized size and modular design. CubeSats are...
differential mode delayA variation in propagation delay caused by differences in group velocity among modes of an optical fiber. Also called...
microdensitometerThe fundamental tool of microdensitometry, the microdensitometer is an instrument used for the precise measurement of...
anamorphoscopeA cylindrical convex viewing mirror used for viewing distorted pictures formed by photographing the reflections of the...
gas currentThe positive ion current created in an electron tube as a result of the collisions between electrons and residual gas...
scalar diffraction theoryScalar diffraction theory is a simplified approach used to describe the propagation of electromagnetic waves, particularly...
epoxyCommon name for a variety of adhesives used for lens bonding, fiber optic splicing and other photonics applications. The...
machine visionMachine vision, also known as computer vision or computer sight, refers to the technology that enables machines, typically...
measuring wedgeA wedge in a rangefinder or heightfinder used to displace the image produced by one telescope so that it coincides with that...
depth perceptionThe direct appreciation of the distance between a given object and the observer, or between the front and back of a solid...
anomalous trichromatismColor vision whereby abnormal proportions of three colors are needed for color matching.
unmanned aerial vehicleAn unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot onboard. UAVs are remotely...
polishing puckA flat cylindrical device generally used to polish terminated ends in fiber optic connections.
phase-contrast microscopeA microscope that has an annular stop in the lower focal plane of the condenser, and a quarter-wave retarding and absorbing...
plasmaA gas made up of electrons and ions.
field ion microscopeAn extremely powerful microscope that renders individual ionized atoms visible by using an electric field to propel the ions...
infrared detectorAn infrared detector is a device that is used to detect and measure infrared radiation, which lies beyond the visible...
frequency combA frequency comb is a precise and regular series of equally spaced spectral lines, or frequencies, that are generated with...
synchronous optical networkA standard for fiber optic telecommunications interfaces, with a 1300-nm data link operating over single-mode fiber at data...
turnkey systemA system that is complete and self-contained, needing no further additions to permit its operation.
spot diagramA method of evaluating image quality whereby a large number of rays are traced through a lens from a single object point,...
InGaAs photodiodeAn InGaAs photodiode refers to a photodetector device that is constructed using a semiconductor material composed of a...
scanning electron microscopyScanning electron microscopy (SEM) is an advanced imaging technique used in microscopy to obtain high-resolution,...
optical assemblyAn optical assembly refers to a collection of optical components that are carefully arranged and aligned to perform a...
stereoscopic visionVision in depth of three dimensions as a result of the spacing of the eyes. This spacing allows the eyes to see objects from...
Bragg gratingA filter that separates light into many colors via Bragg's law. Generally refers to a fiber Bragg grating used in optical...
power flow equationOptical fiber channel characterization scheme based on three assumptions; the discrete mode spectrum can be replaced by a...
infrared absorptionInfrared radiation absorbed by crystals as a result of the excitation of lattice vibrations in which ions having opposite...
diffraction efficiencyDiffraction efficiency is a measure of how effectively a diffractive optical element (DOE) or diffraction grating directs...
3D laser triangulation3D Laser Triangulation - A technology that allows sensors to probe the surroundings. Laser triangulation systems have an...
gram negativeGram-negative bacteria are a group of bacteria that possess a cell envelope composed of a thin layer of peptidoglycan...
fiber-lens fusingA method of terminating optical fibers by forming a lens directly on the end of the fiber, eliminating the need for precise...
vignettingIn an optical system, the gradual reduction of image illuminance as the off-axis angle increases, resulting from limitations...
laser designatorA laser device used to establish a location or target usually for detection by an impact source e.g. missiles and guided...
additive manufacturingAdditive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is a manufacturing process that involves creating three-dimensional...
phase hologramA hologram that is formed on a recording medium by changing the phase of the illuminating wave in correspondence with the...
grating beamsplitterA grating beamsplitter is an optical device that utilizes the principles of diffraction to split a beam of light into...
ion-assisted depositionA technique for improving the structure density of thin-film coatings by bombarding the growing film with accelerated ions...
meta-opticsMeta-optics, also known as metasurface optics or flat optics, is a branch of optics that involves the design, fabrication,...
free radicalsShort-lived molecular or atomic particles, with an unpaired electron, that play an important part in many photochemical...
mirror mountA mirror mount is a mechanical device used to secure and precisely position mirrors in optical systems. Mirrors are...
jig transitAn optical instrument containing a gimballed sighting telescope, used to measure angular relationships in horizontal and...
laserA laser, which stands for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation," is a device that produces coherent and...
quantum key distributionQuantum key distribution (QKD) is a method of secure communication that utilizes principles from quantum mechanics to...
Schlieren photomicrographyThe photomicrographic recording of Schlieren effects, irregular refractions of light from optic surfaces or areas of thin,...
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