The Wollaston doublet is a type of optical instrument that consists of two lenses of different materials, typically made of crown glass and flint glass, which are cemented together to correct chromatic aberration. The correct spelling of Wollaston doublet is /ˈwʊləstən ˈdʌblɪt/, with stress on the first syllable of each word. The word "Wollaston" is pronounced with /wʊˈlæstən/, and "doublet" with /ˈdʌblɪt/. It is named after William Hyde Wollaston, the English scientist who invented it in 1812.
The Wollaston doublet refers to an optical device composed of two lenses, typically made of different types of glass, which are combined to create a compound lens. It is named after the English chemist and physicist William Hyde Wollaston, who invented and popularized the concept in the early 19th century.
The primary purpose of the Wollaston doublet is to reduce chromatic aberration in optical systems. Chromatic aberration, also known as color fringing, is a common optical problem resulting from the dispersion of light. This causes different wavelengths of light to focus at different points, resulting in blurry or distorted images. Wollaston doublets are specifically designed to counteract this effect by combining two lenses of different materials and curvature, which helps to correct and compensate for chromatic aberration.
Typically, a Wollaston doublet consists of a positive lens made of crown glass and a negative lens made of flint glass. The unique combination of these lenses helps to cancel out the chromatic aberration, resulting in improved clarity and sharpness in the images produced. The specific design and composition of the doublet can vary depending on the desired optical characteristics and purpose.
In conclusion, the Wollaston doublet is an optical device used to minimize chromatic aberration by combining two lenses of different materials. Its invention by Wollaston has significantly contributed to the advancement of optical systems, improving image quality and clarity in various applications such as cameras, telescopes, and microscopes.
A d. in the eyepiece of a microscope.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "Wollaston doublet" is derived from the name of the English chemist and physicist William Hyde Wollaston. Wollaston is known for inventing many scientific instruments and making significant contributions to various fields of science, including chemistry and optics.
In the context of optics, a Wollaston doublet refers to a type of prism composed of two prism halves made of different materials. This design was developed by Wollaston in the early 1800s. The use of two different materials with different refractive indices helps in minimizing chromatic aberrations in the prism, improving light transmission and image quality.
Therefore, the term "Wollaston doublet" is named after its inventor, William Hyde Wollaston.