optical elements for imaging (original) (raw)

Author: the photonics expert (RP)

Definition: optical elements used for imaging purposes

Category: vision, displays and imaging

• optical elements
  • achromatic optics
  • adaptive optics
  • aspheric optics
  • custom optics
  • diffractive optics
  • fiber optics
  • flat optics
  • large diameter optics
  • laser optics
  • nonlinear optics
  • optical elements for imaging
    * achromatic optics
    * condensers
    * diffractive optics
    * field lenses
    * field stops
    * lenses
    * loupes
    * magnifying glasses
    * mirrors
    * objectives
    * ocular lenses
    * optical apertures
    * prisms
    * reticles
    * telecentric lenses
    * (more topics)
  • polarization optics
  • refractive optical elements
  • reflective optical elements
  • beam splitters
  • beam collimators
  • beam expanders
  • beam homogenizers
  • diffusers
  • group velocity delay compensation plates
  • optical apertures
  • optical attenuators
  • optical filters
  • optical modulators
  • optical windows
  • phase corrector plates
  • (more topics)

Related: imagingimaging systems

DOI: 10.61835/hsq Cite the article: BibTex BibLaTex plain textHTML Link to this page! LinkedIn

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Various kinds of optical elements are used for imaging purposes (as parts of imaging systems); this page gives a brief overview of what is covered in encyclopedia articles:

• Lenses are optical elements changing the wavefront curvature of light; specifically:
  • Condensers are lenses or lens systems for conditioning light from an illumination source.
  • Field lenses are lenses in imaging instruments which affect the field of view.
  • Loupes are optical lenses held close to the eye which are used for viewing objects with some moderate magnification.
  • Magnifying glasses are optical lenses held above objects for viewing them with some moderate magnification.
  • Achromatic and aspheric specialty lenses find more and more applications in imaging systems.
  • Objectives (= objective lenses) are optical elements for collecting light from inspected objects, or for sending light to objects.
    * Microscope objectives are the optical components of microscopes which are next to the observed objects.
    * Photographic objectives are objective lenses used for photography.
  • Ocular lenses are lenses or lens systems as used in telescopes and microscopes, for example, close to the observing eye.
  • Telecentric lenses are lenses or objectives having the entrance or exit pupil at infinity.
• Mirrors of various types are contained in various imaging systems, including curved image-forming mirrors, but also plane path-folding mirrors.
  • Deformable mirrors and other spatial light modulators are used for adaptive optics, which is utilized e.g. in astronomical telescopes.
  • Beam splitters, e.g. in the form of partially reflecting mirrors, are needed for stereo imaging, for example.
• Optical apertures play various roles in imaging:
  • Aperture stops limit the angular range of received input light.
  • Field stops limit the field of view.
• Optical filters may influence the optical spectrum (e.g. for color imaging) or polarization of light (e.g. for improved contrast). Neutral density filters may be used for reducing the optical power.
• Prisms also play important roles:
  • Porro prisms are common in binoculars and periscopes.
  • Dove prisms are in astronomical instruments, for example.
• Diffractive optics also has applications in imaging:
  • Diffraction gratings are needed particularly in spectral imaging.
  • Zone plates are important in X-ray and EUV imaging.
• Reticles placed in image planes are useful for measurement microscopes and telescopes.

Some of these elements (e.g. lenses and curved mirrors) directly contribute to image formation, while others have supportive functions like path folding, providing scales (reticles) or controlling the optical intensity.

Some optical elements in a wider sense, which can also be used in the context of imaging:

• Acousto-optic deflectors can be used in scanning imaging systems.
• Image intensifiers and image converters are used in low-light imaging and imaging in extreme wavelength regions.
• Image sensors convert optical images to electronic signals.

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