Optical path

The path that light takes in traversing an optical is often called the optical path. The physical length of an optical device can be reduced to less than the length of the optical path by using folded optics. The optical path length as defined in optics is the length of the path multiplied by the index of refraction of the medium.

Factors affecting optical path

Path of light in medium, or between two media is affected by the following:

Simple devices used

  1. Lens
  2. Mirror
  3. Prism
  4. Transparent
  5. Translucent
  6. Opaque objects

See also

‘change in optical length is equal to wavelength of light passed’

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, May 11, 2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.