aplanat

A scientist adjusts the aplanat lens in an optical setup.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Optical term: "aplanat" refers to a lens or optical system that is corrected for spherical aberration and coma, resulting in a sharp, flat image field. It is commonly used in photography, microscopy, and other optical instruments.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The microscope uses an aplanat to produce clear images without distortion. (A lens corrected for optical aberrations.)
  • Photographers often prefer an aplanat for landscape shots due to its flat field. (A lens that minimizes image blur at the edges.)

Advanced Usage

• "Aplanatic system": a related term describing an optical system composed of aplanats.
  • The telescope's aplanatic system ensures stars appear as sharp points. (The system uses aplanats for high precision.)

Variants and Related Words

• Aplanatic (adj): relating to or having the properties of an aplanat.
  • The aplanatic design of the lens improves image quality. (The lens is corrected for specific aberrations.)

Synonyms

• Corrected lens: a lens designed to eliminate aberrations.
• Anastigmat: a lens corrected for astigmatism (similar but not identical to an aplanat).

Related Idioms

• No common idioms: "aplanat" is a technical term with limited figurative use.

Phrasal Verbs

• No phrasal verbs: "aplanat" is not used in verbal constructions.