Optics and Optical Instruments An Introduction

This invaluable practical guide shows how to set up working models of telescopes, microscopes, photographic lenses and projecting systems, then shows how to conduct experiments for determining accuracy, resolving power, identifying aberration, and more. Only elementary mathematics required. Index. 234 diagrams.

CHAPTER I-REFLECTION AND REFRACTION
  "Experiments illustrating reflection at single, double and multiple mirrors"
  "Principles of periscope, binocular prism, roof edge reflection, pentagonal prism, tetrahedron"
  Concave and convex mirrors
  Laws of refraction
  Critical angle and internal reflection
  Action of lenses
  "Ray tracing methods, graphical and trigonometrical"
CHAPTER II-FOCAL LENGTH MEASUREMENTS
  Optical bench
  "Focal lengths of " thin " positive and negative lenses"
  Two thin lenses in contact
  Two thin lenses separated
  Newton's method
  "Focal length of " thick " lenses"
  Magnification method
  Foco-collimator
  Collimator
  Nodal slide method
CHAPTER III-THE EYE
  General description with named parts and optical data
  Schematic eye
  Emmetropia and ametropia
  Correction of myopia and hypermetropia
  Working model of human eye
  Resolving power of eye
  Visual acuity limits
  Tests and theoretical explanations
CHAPTER IV-THE TELESCOPE
  "Model telescopes, astronomical and Galilean types"
  Measurement of magnification and angular field of view
  Entrance and exit pupils
  "Models of Huygenian, Ramsden and four-lens terrestrial eyepieces"
  Types of object glass and eyepieces used commerically
  "Tests on telescopes for definition, squaring-on, strain, stray light"
  "Resolving power, theory and practical tests"
  Necessary power of eyepiece
  Binocular telescopic instruments
  Angular accommodation
  Appartus for adjusting binocular telescopes
  Wide field of view sighting telescopes
  Variable power telescopes
CHAPTER V-THE MICROSCOPE
  Hand magnifiers
  "Compound microscope, optical bench models and modern instruments"
  Correct setting up of the microscope
  Numerical aperture
  Apertometers
  "Resolving power, theory and practical testing"
  Necessary magnification to employ
  Photo-micrography
  Opaque objects
  Ultra-violet microscopy at various wavelengths
  Reflection microscopes
  Electron microscope
CHAPTER VI-PHOTOGRAPHIC LENSES
  Aberrations
  Principles for reducing coma and astigmatism
  "Optical bench models illustrating definition performance for meniscus, symmetrical and anastigmat types of photographic lenses"
  Theory with numerical examples illustrating the advantages of various types of glass
  Measurement of astigmatic fields
  Telephoto lenses
  Complete tests on photographic lenses
  "Resolving power, theory and practical tests"
  "Depth of focus, image space and object space"
  Schmidt camera
CHAPTER VII-OPTICAL PROJECTION SYSTEMS
  Measurement of solid angle
  "Intrinsic brightness, transmission factors, intensity of illumination on projection screens"
  Sources of light for projection purposes
  Projection of transparencies
  Loss of light in projection systems
  Projection of opaque objects
  "Searchlights, signaling lamps, headlights"
  Projection in engineering practice
  Physical experiments
  Microprojection
  "Lighthouse projection systems, marine lanterns, railway signal lamps"
CHAPTER VIII-OPTICAL GLASS: ITS WORKING AND TESTING
  Advantages of a variety in optical glasses
  Production of optical glass
  Annealing
  Strain
  Homogeneity
  Optical constants
  Refractometry
  "Glass working, principles of grinding and polishing processes"
  Abrasives
  "Edging, radius of curvature measurements, mechanical and optical"
  "Test plates, flat and curved"
  Methods of producing test plates
  "Angle measurement, goniometer, auto-collimator, naked eye tests"
  Non-reflecting films on glass
APPENDIX
  Cleaning of glass surfaces
  Breath figures
  Balsaming
  Viscometer for pitch and balsam
  Silvering
  Photographic items
  Graticules
  Developers
  Webs
  Collodion films
  Waxes and cements
  Sources of light
INDEX