Optical instrument
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An optical instrument is a device that processes
light waves (or photons), either to enhance an image for viewing or to analyze and determine their characteristic properties. Common examples include periscopes, microscopes, telescopes, and cameras
.
Image enhancement
The first optical instruments were
Van Leeuwenhoek, these instruments have been greatly improved and extended into other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The binocular device is a generally compact instrument for both eyes designed for mobile use. A camera could be considered a type of optical instrument, with the pinhole camera and camera obscura
being very simple examples of such devices.
Analysis
Another class of optical instrument is used to analyze the properties of light or optical materials. They include:
- interferenceproperties of light waves
- Photometer for measuring light intensity
- polarized light
- reflectivityof a surface or object
- Refractometer for measuring refractive index of various materials
- Spectrometer or monochromator for generating or measuring a portion of the optical spectrum, for the purpose of chemical or material analysis
- Autocollimator which is used to measure angular deflections
- Vertometerwhich is used to determine refractive power of lenses such as glasses, contact lenses and magnifier lens
fluorochrome
attached to a specific nucleotide of a DNA strand.
Surface plasmon resonance-based instruments use refractometry to measure and analyze biomolecular interactions.
Other types
See also
- Scientific instruments
References
External links
Media related to Optical instruments at Wikimedia Commons- Carboni, Giorgio. "From Lenses to Optical Instruments". Fun Science Gallery. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020.
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