Definition

1. Noun:
   • An optical device for producing a parallel beam of light: A collimator is an instrument that uses a lens and a slit to make light rays travel in parallel lines, eliminating divergence.
   • A small sighting telescope: A collimator is also a small telescope attached to a larger one, used to align or set the line of sight of the main instrument.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The scientist adjusted the collimator to ensure the laser beam was perfectly parallel.
  • Before observing the star, the astronomer checked the alignment using the collimator attached to the main telescope.

Advanced Usage

• "Collimator lens": The specific lens within a collimator that helps to straighten light rays.
  • The quality of the collimator lens is critical for the experiment's accuracy.

Variants and Related Words

• Collimate (verb): To make light rays parallel.
  • You must collimate the beam for this optical test.
• Collimation (noun): The process of aligning or making parallel.
  • Proper collimation of the telescope is essential for clear viewing.

Synonyms

• Beam aligner: A device for aligning a beam of light.
• Sighting telescope: A telescope used for alignment purposes.

Related Phrases

• "To be in collimation": To be correctly aligned.
  • The optical system is now in collimation and ready for use.

Noun

1. optical device consisting of a tube containing a convex achromatic lens at one end and a slit at the other with the slit at the focus of the lens; light rays leave the slit as a parallel beam
2. a small telescope attached to a large telescope to use in setting the line of the larger one