Fiber optic taperdiy

The ability of an imaging system to distinguish between closely spaced objects, often measured in terms of the smallest distance between two points that can still be distinguished as separate entities.

Fiber optic tapermagnifier

The Abbe diffraction limit is a fundamental principle in optical microscopy that defines the smallest detail that can be resolved by an optical system due to the wave nature of light. This limit is determined by the wavelength of light used and the numerical aperture of the microscope objective, establishing a threshold for spatial resolution in imaging systems. It highlights the challenges of resolving fine details at the microscopic level and underscores the significance of diffraction in imaging techniques.

A dimensionless number that characterizes the range of angles over which a microscope objective can accept or emit light, impacting the resolution and brightness of the image.

The bending and spreading of waves when they encounter an obstacle or opening, which is crucial in understanding the limitations of resolving power in optical systems.