spherical aberration

American  

noun

1. variation in focal length of a lens or mirror from center to edge, due to its spherical shape.

---

spherical aberration British  

noun

1. physics a defect of optical systems that arises when light striking a mirror or lens near its edge is focused at different points on the axis to the light striking near the centre. The effect occurs when the mirror or lens has spherical surfaces See also aberration

---

spherical aberration Scientific  

/ sfîr′ĭ-kəl /

1. See under aberration

---

Etymology

Origin of spherical aberration

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

But when the first image came back, it was blurry owing to a flaw known as spherical aberration.

From Nature

In front of it, to bring the light to a focus without "spherical aberration," is a correcting plate so slightly curved that it looks like plain sheet glass.

From Time Magazine Archive

We moved the secondary mirror in and out of focus in order to sample the spherical aberration at different levels.

From Nature

Irradiation has also been ascribed to spherical aberration in the eye-lens and to diffraction of light at the pupil.

From Visual Illusions Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications by Luckiesh, Matthew

The extent of the spherical aberration may be thus determined; but if the first experiment gives a satisfactory result, no other is required.

From Half-hours with the Telescope Being a Popular Guide to the Use of the Telescope as a Means of Amusement and Instruction. by Proctor, Richard A. (Richard Anthony)