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optical path

American

noun

the path of light through a medium, having a magnitude equal to the geometric distance through the system times the index of refraction of the medium.

Etymology

Origin of optical path

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The researchers are also working to ensure the stability of the fiber-coupled optical path over extended periods and under more intense conditions such as running and jumping.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

In his tinkering, “I came up with a custom optical path that will actually allow it to work,” he said.

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2021

What you are seeing is simply a housefly crawling across a lens in the optical path of the system’s telescope.

From Washington Post • May 8, 2020

The optical path length was l = 1 mm for all spectra.

From Nature • Mar. 28, 2017

The optical path consists of a series of transparent liquids and solids.

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023