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Glossary

  • Effective focal length: algebraic distance from the primary/secondary principal plane of an optical system to its front/back focal plane
  • Lens: optical component with two refractive surfaces axially symmetrical for redirecting the light in a controlled manner
  • Aperture : diaphragm limiting the number of light rays that are able to propagate
  • Image spot: spot described by the intersection of the observation plane with light rays coming from an object point and transmitted through an optical system
  • Front focal point: point on the optical axis whose image by an optical system is located at infinity
  • Depth of field: considering a focus plane conjugate of an object plane by an optical system, defines the maximum shift of the object plane enabling a sharp enough image in the fixed focus plane