Optical pathlength: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:27, 27 March 2024

(Sometimes called optical path or optical length.) The line integral of the refractive index (real part) along a ray connecting two points in an optically homogeneous medium.

Because refractive index depends on frequency, so does optical pathlength. Although optical pathlength may be shortened to optical path, there is a difference between a path and its length.
Compare optical thickness.

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+{{Term
+|Display title=optical pathlength
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+|Definitions={{Definition
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+|Meaning=(Sometimes called [[optical path]] or optical length.) The [[line integral]] of the  [[refractive index]] (real part) along a [[ray]] connecting two points in an [[optically homogeneous]]  medium.
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+|Explanation=Because refractive index depends on [[frequency]], so does optical pathlength. Although optical  pathlength may be shortened to optical path, there is a difference between a path and its length.  <br/>''Compare'' [[optical thickness]].
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+}}
-== optical pathlength ==
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-  </div>
-<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">(Sometimes called [[optical path]] or optical length.) The [[line integral]] of the  [[refractive index]] (real part) along a [[ray]] connecting two points in an [[optically homogeneous]]  medium.</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">Because refractive index depends on [[frequency]], so does optical pathlength. Although optical  pathlength may be shortened to optical path, there is a difference between a path and its length.  <br/>''Compare'' [[optical thickness]].</div><br/> </div>
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