Leumas Physics

Rayleigh Criterion (Angular Resolution)

θ = 1.22·λ / D

What it says

Gives the minimum angular separation resolvable by a circular aperture of a given diameter at a given wavelength.

Symbols

SymbolQuantityDimension
λWavelength (m)L
DAperture diameter (m)L
θMinimum resolvable angle (rad)1

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Connects to

Filed under Optics · derive through it in the explorer