optical axis
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Related to optical axis: focal length, visual axis
optical axis
The imaginary line passing through the midpoint of a lens, mirror, or system of such elements and on which lies the focal point of parallel paraxial rays.Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Optical Axis
The optical axis of a lens or a concave or convex mirror is the straight line that is the axis of symmetry of the refracting surfaces of the lens or of the reflecting surface of the mirror. It passes perpendicularly through the center of these surfaces. Optical surfaces that have such an axis are said to be axially symmetric. The optical axis of an optical system is the common axis of symmetry of all the lenses and mirrors in the system.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
optical axis
[′äp·tə·kəl ′ak·səs] (anatomy)
An imaginary straight line passing through the midpoint of the cornea (anterior pole) and the midpoint of the retina (posterior pole).
(optics)
A line passing through a radially symmetrical optical system such that rotation of the system about this line does not alter it in any detectable way.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
optical axis
An imaginary line drawn from the geometric center of a film to the center of a lens. It may project beyond the lens. Also called a lens axis and a camera axis
An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved