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What is Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion?

Spontaneous parametric down conversion is as an optical quantum process in which an incident photon is converted into pairs of entangled photons by a non-linear medium.

31 Oct 2014

An Introduction to Attenuation

Attenuation is defined as the gradual loss in the intensity of any kind of flux when it passes through a medium.

30 Oct 2014

What is Optical Resolution?

Optical resolution is the physical resolution at which an imaging device can capture an image. The term is mostly used in connection to optical scanners and digital cameras.

30 Oct 2014

An Introduction to Optical Path Length

In the field of optics, optical path length or optical distance is the product of the geometric length of the path light follows through a system, and the index of refraction of the medium through which it propagates.

28 Oct 2014

Understanding Positioning Mechanisms for High Precision

An insight on the positioning mechanisms and limitations is critical to achieve precision from the positioning devices. This article describes about the motion control technology employed in Zaber's positioning devices, quantification of inaccuracies and strategies to reduce the effects.

28 Oct 2014

What is a Pinhole Camera?

A pinhole camera, also known as camera obscura or "dark chamber", is a simple camera that has a single small aperture called pinhole instead of a lens. The concept of pinhole camera was published in the Book of Optics in 1021 AD by Persian scientist Ibn al-Haytham.

24 Oct 2014

What is Magnification Power?

Magnifying power is defined as the ratio between the dimensions of the image and the object. The process of magnification can occur in lenses, telescopes, microscopes and even in slide projectors. Simple magnifying lenses are biconvex - these lenses are thicker at the center than at the edges.

24 Oct 2014

What is a CCD Sensor?

The CCD (charge coupled device) was first invented at the Bell laboratories in the 1960s. CCDs are thin wafers which consist of a number of buried electrodes that facilitate the movement of electrons from the device to a desired point.

23 Oct 2014

What is an Optical Fiber Isolator?

Optical isolators are optical elements which allow light to propagate in only one direction. The propagation of light in one single direction is required in order to prevent optical back scattering or feedback which often leads to noise in many applications.

22 Oct 2014

What is Unpolarized Light?

Polarization of a light wave is defined as a type of orientation of oscillations of the wave with respect to the direction of propagation of the wave.

14 Oct 2014