Optics
5 terms
Cartesian Sign Convention
Optics
N/A
A standardized coordinate rule used in geometric optics to assign consistent algebraic signs to distances, heights, and focal lengths.
Origin at optical center/pole; light travels left to right (+x)
Cassegrain Telescope
Optics
Dimensionless
A compact reflecting telescope design combining a concave parabolic primary mirror and a convex hyperbolic secondary mirror.
f_effective = f_primary × (Magnification of secondary)
Chromatic Aberration
Optics
m
An optical distortion in lenses caused by material dispersion, where different wavelengths of light focus at different spatial positions.
f_blue < f_red (v = c/n(λ))
Compound Microscope
Optics
Dimensionless (×)
A two-stage optical instrument utilizing a short-focal-length objective lens and a longer-focal-length eyepiece to achieve high magnification.
M_total = m_obj × M_eye ≈ (L / f_obj) × (D / f_eye)
Critical Angle
Optics
Degrees (°)
The specific angle of incidence in an optically denser medium for which the angle of refraction in the rarer medium is exactly 90 degrees.
θ_c = arcsin(n2 / n1)