1. What is Angular Resolution?

Angular resolution describes the ability of an optical system to distinguish small details of an object. For glasses, it determines how finely the wearer can distinguish between two closely spaced points.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the angular resolution formula:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angular resolution (radians)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength of light (meters)
• \( D \) — Diameter of the aperture (meters)
• 1.22 — Constant derived from the Rayleigh criterion

Explanation: The equation shows that resolution improves (θ gets smaller) with larger apertures and shorter wavelengths.

3. Importance of Angular Resolution

Details: Understanding angular resolution helps in designing optical systems like glasses, telescopes, and cameras to ensure they meet the required performance specifications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wavelength in meters (e.g., 550 nm = 550e-9 m) and aperture diameter in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the Rayleigh criterion?
A: The Rayleigh criterion defines the minimum angular separation at which two point sources can be distinguished as separate.

Q2: What wavelength should I use for visible light?
A: For human vision, a typical value is 550 nm (550 × 10⁻⁹ m), which is in the green part of the spectrum where the eye is most sensitive.

Q3: How does pupil size affect resolution?
A: Larger pupils (larger D) provide better angular resolution, up to the limit of the eye's optical quality.

Q4: Can this be used for telescope resolution?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to telescopes, microscopes, and other optical systems.

Q5: What are typical values for human eye resolution?
A: The human eye with 5 mm pupil diameter at 550 nm has θ ≈ 1.34 × 10⁻⁴ radians (about 1 arcminute).