parabolic reflector

parabolic reflector

[¦par·ə¦bäl·ik ri′flek·tər]

(electromagnetism)

An antenna having a concave surface which is generated either by translating a parabola perpendicular to the plane in which it lies (in a cylindrical parabolic reflector), or rotating it about its axis of symmetry (in a paraboloidal reflector). Also known as dish.

(optics)

paraboloidal reflector

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

parabolic reflector

A light reflector whose surface is a paraboloid, i.e., a surface generated by rotating a parabolic section about its axis; if a small light source is placed at the focal point of the reflector, the reflected light will be concentrated in a nearly collimated beam parallel to the axis of the reflector.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.