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Dispersion is the phenomenon in which the phase velocity of a wave depends on its frequency. [1] Sometimes the term chromatic dispersion is used to refer to optics specifically, as opposed to wave propagation in general. A medium having this common property may be termed a dispersive medium.
The name "dispersion relation" originally comes from optics. It is possible to make the effective speed of light dependent on wavelength by making light pass through a material which has a non-constant index of refraction , or by using light in a non-uniform medium such as a waveguide .
In optics and lens design, the Abbe number, also known as the Vd-number or constringence of a transparent material, is an approximate measure of the material's dispersion (change of refractive index versus wavelength), with high values of Vd indicating low dispersion.
Spatial dispersion can be compared to temporal dispersion, the latter often just called dispersion. Temporal dispersion represents memory effects in systems, commonly seen in optics and electronics. Spatial dispersion on the other hand represents spreading effects and is usually significant only at microscopic length scales.
In optics, a dispersive prism is an optical prism that is used to disperse light, that is, to separate light into its spectral components (the colors of the rainbow). Different wavelengths (colors) of light will be deflected by the prism at different angles. [ 1 ]
These hybridized glasses have a very low level of optical dispersion; only two compiled lenses made of these substances can yield a high level of correction. [9] The use of achromats was an important step in the development of optical microscopes and telescopes. An alternative to achromatic doublets is the use of diffractive optical elements.
An object that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image is said to be chiral, and optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism are known as chiroptical properties. Most biological molecules have one or more chiral centers and undergo enzyme-catalyzed transformations that either maintain or invert the chirality at one or more of these ...
Dispersion of N-BK7 over the visible spectrum using coefficients from the Schott Optical Glass Data Sheets. [4] [5] The dominant intensive property change, in terms of optical performance, is the index of refraction. The refractive index of glass is a function of wavelength and temperature. [4]