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Anoptical instrument is a device that processeslight waves (orphotons), either to enhance an image for viewing or to analyze and determine their characteristic properties. Common examples includeperiscopes,microscopes,telescopes, andcameras.[1][2]
Image enhancement
editThe first optical instruments weretelescopes used for magnification of distant images, andmicroscopes used for magnifying very tiny images. Since the days ofGalileo andVan Leeuwenhoek, these instruments have been greatly improved and extended into other portions of theelectromagnetic spectrum. Thebinocular device is a generally compact instrument for both eyes designed for mobile use. Acamera could be considered a type of optical instrument, with thepinhole camera andcamera obscura being very simple examples of such devices.
Analysis
editAnother class of optical instrument is used to analyze the properties oflight or optical materials. They include:
- Interferometer for measuring theinterference properties of light waves
- Photometer for measuring light intensity
- Polarimeter for measuring dispersion or rotation ofpolarized light
- Reflectometer for measuring thereflectivity of a surface or object
- Refractometer for measuringrefractive index of various materials
- Spectrometer ormonochromator for generating or measuring a portion of theoptical spectrum, for the purpose of chemical or material analysis
- Autocollimator which is used to measure angular deflections
- Vertometer which is used to determine refractive power of lenses such as glasses, contact lenses and magnifier lens
DNA sequencers can be considered optical instruments, as they analyse the color and intensity of the light emitted by afluorochrome attached to a specific nucleotide of a DNA strand.
Surface plasmon resonance-based instruments userefractometry to measure and analyze biomolecular interactions.
Other types
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^Hernández, Daniel Malacara (2017-11-22).Fundamentals and Basic Optical Instruments. CRC Press.ISBN 978-1-4987-2077-9.
- ^Kenyon, I. R. (2008).The Light Fantastic: A Modern Introduction to Classical and Quantum Optics. Oxford University Press.ISBN 978-0-19-856645-8.
External links
edit
Media related toOptical instruments at Wikimedia Commons- Carboni, Giorgio."From Lenses to Optical Instruments". Fun Science Gallery. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020.
