collimation
Making rays parallel
Collimation is the alignment of optical or other components along a common axis.
In telescopes and cameras, proper collimation ensures light rays travel parallel paths to produce sharp images: The telescope's mirrors need collimation after transport.
The term extends to particle beams and radiation, where collimation narrows and directs the beam.
To collimate is to perform this alignment.
Light-focusing curved glass
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- beamStructural support member
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- eyepieceLens you look through
objective · refraction · prism · alignment · focal point · divergence · convergence · correction
Correct relative positioning
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- parallelismMatching structural elements
tolerance · measurement · fine-tuning · correction · optimization · repeatability · stability · drift
Measuring and charting terrain
- theodolitePrecision angle-measuring instrument
- transitMovement between places
- levelHorizontal or uniform position
- reticleOptical sighting pattern
crosshairs · sighting · boresight · spectrometer · particle accelerator · electron beam · cathode ray · mass spectrometer
Structural support member
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- resonatorFrequency-amplifying device
- cavityEmpty space within
diode · fiber · monochromatic · photonics · pulsed · intensity · far-field · near-field
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
eyepiece · objective · refraction · prism · alignment · focal point · divergence · convergence · correction · aberration
alignment
Correct relative positioning
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- accuracyDegree of correctness
parallelism · tolerance · measurement · fine-tuning · correction · optimization · repeatability · stability · drift · error
surveying
Measuring and charting terrain
- theodolitePrecision angle-measuring instrument
- transitMovement between places
- levelHorizontal or uniform position
reticle · crosshairs · sighting · boresight · spectrometer · particle accelerator · electron beam · cathode ray · mass spectrometer · antenna
beam
Structural support member
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- resonatorFrequency-amplifying device
cavity · diode · fiber · monochromatic · photonics · pulsed · intensity · far-field · near-field · propagation
eyepiece
Lens you look through
collimationdivergence
Separation from common origin
scattering · dispersion · diffusion · spreading · defocusing
collimationmisalignment
Improper positioning relative to reference
maladjustment · miscalibration · decentering · astigmatism · coma