optical path

noun

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of optical path¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

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.

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

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These included installing highly efficient telescopes at the ground stations and optimizing equipment components at all stages of the optical path.

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

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In this case, the optical path is not simply deflected by mirrors, and all of the imaging information is destroyed by diffuse reflection.

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