Term
Object
1) A material thing that can be observed. 2) The figure seen through or imaged by an optical system.
Term
Object space
The space between the object being viewed and the system entrance pupil of an optical system.
Term
Objective
The optical element that receives light from the object and forms the first or primary image in telescopes and microscopes.
1620, originally in the philosophical sense of "considered in relation to its object" (opposite of subjective), formed on pattern of M.L. objectivus, from objectum "object." The lens or lens system in a microscope or other optical instrument that first receives light rays from the object and forms the image.
Term
Ocular
Related to the eye or its vision.
Term
Ocular prism
The prism used in a rangefinder to bend the lines of sight through the instruments into the eyepieces.
Term
Offset prism
A prism or prism assembly that serves to displace the instrument's optical axis.
Term
Optical activity (optical rotation)
The ability of a substance to rotate the plane of linearly polarized light about the direction the light is traveling in, as the light travels through the substance. It often occurs in substances with molecules that have a mirror image structure, rotated crystal planes, and gases that have their molecular spins polarized (aligned in a particular direction).
Term
Optical axis
The line passing through both the centers of curvature of the optical surfaces of a lens.
Term
Optical Coherence Testing (OCT scan)
An interfermotetric technique used to create three-dimensional images. Often infrared light is used and scattered off of biological tissue to image the tissue with a resolution of up to a millionth of a meter. Better resolution can be achieved through proper selection of the light source. Interferometric techniques are ones that use the combination of light waves to obtain information about the light waves.
Term
Optical distance or optical path length (OPL)
The product of the geometrical distance and the refractive index, in a medium of constant index of refraction that the light travels through.
Term
Optical fiber
A thin filament of drawn or extruded glass or plastic having a central core and a cladding of lower index of refraction to promote internal reflection.
Term
Optical path length (OPL)
The product of the geometrical distance and the refractive index, in a medium of constant index of refraction that the light travels through.
Term
Optical rotation (optical activity)
The ability of a substance to rotate the plane of linearly polarized light about the direction the light is traveling in, as the light travels through the substance. It often occurs in substances with molecules that have a mirror image structure, rotated crystal planes, and gases that have their molecular spins polarized (aligned in a particular direction).
Term
Optics
A branch of physics that studies electromagnetic radiation (for example, light and infrared radiation), its interactions with matter, and instruments used to gather information due to these interactions. Optics includes the study of sight.
1541, from M.Fr. optique, obtique (c.1300), from M.L. opticus "of sight or seeing," from Gk. optikos "of or having to do with sight," from optos "seen, visible," from op-, root of opsesthai "be going to see," related to ops "eye," from PIE *oqw- "eye/see" (see eye). Optics "science of sight and light" is from 1579; optician is first attested 1687, after Fr. opticien.
Term
Orthoscopy, orthoscopic
Normal, undistorted view.
Term
Oscillation
A repetitive motion, usually in time, about a central value. A vibration.
1658, from Fr. oscillation, from L. oscillationem (nom. oscillatio), pp. of oscillare "to swing," supposed to be from oscillum "little face," lit. "little mouth," a mask of open-mouthed Bacchus hung up in vineyards to swing in the breeze.
Term
Oscilloscope (scope)
A system used to observe the variation in voltages as a function of time. Many signals can be converted to voltages and viewed this way. They are often used to observe the shape of an electrical signal.
Term
Otoscope or auriscope
A medical device consisting of a light source and magnifying lens used to image and inspect the inner ear.
Term
Overhead projector
A projector used to project transparencies. This type of projector usually consists of a large box with bright lamps and a fan, above which is a Fresnel lens that acts to collimate the light and acts as a platform for placing the transparencies. The transparencies can be written and projected onto a wall by utilizing a 45° mirror and lens system above that turns the vertical beam from the lamps below into a horizontal direction. The image is usually projected onto a screen. This allows a speaker to face the audience and utilize normal writing on the transparency, and an erect and magnified image appears on the screen for the audience.
