TERMIUM Plus^®

Record 1,  Textual support,  English

Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT

The resolution of an optical imaging system – a microscope, telescope, or camera – can be limited by factors such as imperfections in the lenses or misalignment. However, there is a fundamental maximum to the resolution of any optical system which is due to diffraction. An optical system with the ability to produce images with angular resolution as good as the instrument's theoretical limit is said to be diffraction limited.  2, record 1, English, - diffraction%20limited

Record 1,  Textual support,  French

Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT

En optique ondulatoire, un système idéal imageant parfaitement un point objet n'est limité que par la diffraction, c'est-à-dire que seule la diffraction intervient et que les aberrations ne déforment pas le front d'onde.  2, record 1, French, - limit%C3%A9%20par%20la%20diffraction

Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS

Limite de diffraction – Les instruments optiques contiennent le plus souvent une chambre noire. La lumière passant par l'ouverture de la chambre noire subit une diffraction. Or la diffraction limite le pouvoir de résolution des instruments optiques : un objet ponctuel donne une image «floue», appelée tache de diffraction. Si deux détails d'un objet sont trop proches, les taches de diffraction se chevauchent et il devient impossible d'obtenir des images séparées de ces détails.  3, record 1, French, - limit%C3%A9%20par%20la%20diffraction

Record 1,  Textual support,  Spanish

Record 2,  Textual support,  English

Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF

The limit set by the degree of coherence which is attained. The smallest focused spot that can be obtained is when the laser output is derived entirely from the uniphase mode of oscillation.  1, record 2, English, - diffraction%20limit

Record 2,  Textual support,  French

Record 2,  Textual support,  Spanish