astigmatism
-a defect of vision commonly caused by irregular shape of the cornea (characterized by blurring)
diffraction
curvature of waves around objects in their path Example: light rays through slits produce fringes
electromagnetic
spectrum
the entire range of wave lengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation from shortest gamma rays to longest radio waves where light comprises only a small part of range
fiber
optics
strands of clear material, glass or plastic which transmit images
fluorescent
characterized by the emission of visible light as the result of radiation from some other source
focal
point
point of convergence of rays of light
frequency
the number of complete oscillations per second of any component of an electromagnetic wave
holography
study of or production of three dimensional images
hyperopia
farsightedness, caused by focus of image behind the retina
incandescence
the glowing of a body due to its high temperature
laser
light composed of light of one wave length, coherent light
lens
a piece of glass or other transparent material that has two opposite regular surfaces either one curved and the other plane or both curved used to form an image by the focusing of light rays
myopia
-nearsightedness, caused by the image being focused in front of the retina
polarization
process of affecting light or other transverse waves so the vibrations are confined to one plane
polaroid
material that polarizes, used to prevent glare in optical devices
presbyopia
condition of defective elasticity of the crystalline lens of the eye (usually in old age) resulting in poor accommodation and inability to attain a sharp focus of near vision
prism
a transparent body bounded in part by two plane surfaces that are not parallel used to deviate or disperse a beam of light
physiology
the study of the function of the body
Quantum Mechanics
a general mechanical theory dealing with the interactions of matter and radiation in terms of observable quantities only (as the intensities and frequencies of spectral lines)
receptors
parts of the body that are especially sensitive to some environmental factor (as light or sound waves)
reflection
the partial or complete return of a wave motion from a surface
refraction
the deflection from a straight line undergone by a light ray or a wave of energy in passing obliquely from one medium into another
spectroscope
one of various instruments designed for forming and examining optical spectra
(figure available in print form)