Resolution

Definition

Resolution is a measure of the ability of an optical system, such as a microscope or a multiple slit diffraction setup, to distinguish between closely spaced objects or features. It determines the smallest detail that can be observed or the closest spacing between distinct elements that can be distinguished.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the context of microscopes, resolution determines the smallest distance between two distinct points that can be observed as separate features.
2. The resolution of a microscope is primarily limited by the wavelength of the illuminating light and the numerical aperture of the objective lens.
3. Increasing the numerical aperture of the objective lens can improve the resolution of a microscope, as it allows the system to collect light from a wider range of angles.
4. In the case of multiple slit diffraction, the resolution is determined by the spacing between the slits and the wavelength of the incident light.
5. The Rayleigh criterion provides a quantitative measure of the minimum angular separation between two point sources that can be distinguished as separate, based on the diffraction pattern produced.

Review Questions

• Explain how the resolution of a microscope is affected by the numerical aperture of the objective lens.
  • The resolution of a microscope is directly related to the numerical aperture of the objective lens. Increasing the numerical aperture allows the microscope to collect light from a wider range of angles, which reduces the size of the diffraction pattern and improves the ability to distinguish between closely spaced features. This is because the diffraction limit, which sets the fundamental limit to the resolution, is inversely proportional to the numerical aperture. Therefore, a higher numerical aperture leads to a smaller diffraction limit and better overall resolution of the microscope.
• Describe how the resolution of a multiple slit diffraction setup is determined by the spacing between the slits and the wavelength of the incident light.
  • In a multiple slit diffraction setup, the resolution is determined by the spacing between the individual slits and the wavelength of the incident light. Specifically, the angular separation between the central maximum and the first-order maxima in the diffraction pattern is inversely proportional to the slit spacing. This means that decreasing the slit spacing will increase the angular separation between the maxima, allowing the system to distinguish between smaller angular separations and improving the overall resolution. Additionally, the resolution is also inversely proportional to the wavelength of the light, so using a shorter wavelength can also enhance the resolving power of the multiple slit diffraction setup.
• Explain how the Rayleigh criterion is used to quantify the minimum angular separation required for two point sources to be distinguished as separate by an optical system.
  • The Rayleigh criterion provides a quantitative measure of the minimum angular separation required for two point sources to be distinguished as separate by an optical system. According to the Rayleigh criterion, the two point sources are just resolvable when the central maximum of the diffraction pattern of one source coincides with the first minimum of the diffraction pattern of the other source. This corresponds to an angular separation where the intensity between the two sources drops to 73.5% of the maximum intensity. By using this criterion, the resolution of an optical system can be calculated based on the wavelength of the light and the numerical aperture of the system, allowing for a precise determination of the smallest angular separation that can be distinguished.

Related terms

Diffraction Limit:

The fundamental limit to the resolution of an optical system imposed by the wave nature of light, which prevents the system from distinguishing features smaller than the wavelength of the light used.

Numerical Aperture:

A dimensionless quantity that characterizes the range of angles over which the optical system can accept or emit light, and is a key factor in determining the resolution of the system.

Rayleigh Criterion:

A standard used to determine the minimum angular separation between two point sources that can still be distinguished as separate, based on the diffraction pattern produced by the optical system.