Dioptre

Dioptre

A dioptre, or diopter, is a unit of measurement of the optical power of a lens or curved mirror, which is equal to the reciprocal of the focal length measured in metres (that is, 1/metres). It is thus a unit of reciprocal length. For example, a 3-dioptre lens brings parallel rays of light to focus at 13 metre. The same unit is also sometimes used for other reciprocals of distance, particularly radii of curvature and the vergence of optical beams. The usage was proposed by French ophthalmologist Ferdinand Monoyer in 1872.[1][2][3]

One benefit of quantifying a lens in terms of its optical power rather than its focal length is that when relatively thin lenses are placed close together their powers approximately add. Thus a thin 2-dioptre lens placed close to a thin 0.5-dioptre lens yields almost the same focal length as a 2.5-dioptre lens would have.

Though the dioptre is based on the SI-metric system it has not been included in the standard so that there is no international name or abbreviation for this unit of measurement—within the international system of units this unit for optical power would need to be specified explicitly as the inverse metre (m−1). However most languages have borrowed the original name and some national standardization bodies like DIN specify a unit name (dioptrie, dioptria, ..) and derived unit symbol "dpt".

Contents

In optometry

The fact that optical powers are approximately additive enables an optometrist to prescribe corrective lenses as a simple correction to the eye's optical power, rather than doing a detailed analysis of the entire optical system (the eye and the lens). Optical power can also be used to adjust a basic prescription for reading. Thus an optometrist, having determined that a myopic (nearsighted) person requires a basic correction of, say, −2 dioptres to restore normal distance vision, might then make a further prescription of 'add 1' for reading, to make up for lack of accommodation (ability to alter focus). This is the same as saying that −1 dioptre lenses are prescribed for reading.

In humans, the total optical power of the relaxed eye is approximately 60 dioptres. The cornea accounts for approximately two-thirds of this refractive power and the crystalline lens (in conjunction with the aqueous and vitreous humors) contributes the remaining third.[4] In focusing, the ciliary muscle contracts to reduce the tension or stress transferred to the lens by the suspensory ligaments. This results in increased convexity of the lens which in turn increases the optical power of the eye. As humans age, the amplitude of accommodation reduces from approximately 15 to 20 dioptres in the very young, to about 10 dioptres at age 25, to around 1 dioptre at 50 and over.

Convex lenses have positive dioptric value and are generally used to correct hyperopia (farsightedness) or to allow people with presbyopia (the limited accommodation of advancing age) to read at close range. Concave lenses have negative dioptric value and generally correct myopia (nearsightedness). Typical glasses for mild myopia will have a power of −1.00 to −3.00 dioptres, while over the counter reading glasses will be rated at +1.00 to +3.00 dioptres. Optometrists usually measure refractive error using lenses graded in steps of 0.25 dioptres.

Curvature

The dioptre can also be used as a measurement of curvature equal to the reciprocal of the radius measured in metres. For example, a circle with a radius of 1/2 metre has a curvature of 2 dioptres. If the curvature of a surface of a lens is C and the index of refraction is n, the optical power is φ = (n − 1)C. If both surfaces of the lens are curved, consider their curvatures as positive toward the lens and add them. This will give approximately the right result, as long as the thickness of the lens is much less than the radius of curvature of one of the surfaces. For a mirror the optical power is φ = 2C.

Relation to magnifying power

The magnifying power of a simple magnifier is related to its optical power. This is covered in detail in the articles on magnification and magnifying glasses.

See also

References

  1. ^ Monoyer, F. (1872). "Sur l'introduction du système métrique dans le numérotage des verres de lunettes et sur le choix d'une unité de réfraction". Annales d'Oculistiques (Paris) 68: 101.  The term had been coined by Johannes Kepler and was used for the title of his book Dioptrice, in which he laid out some fundamental concepts on geometric optics.
  2. ^ "Monoyer, Ferdinand". La médecine à Nancy depuis 1872. http://www.professeurs-medecine-nancy.fr/Monoyer_C.htm. Retrieved 2011-04-26. 
  3. ^ Colenbrander, August. "Measuring Vision and Vision Loss" (PDF). Smith-Kettlewell Institute. http://www.ski.org/Colenbrander/Images/Measuring_Vis_Duane01.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
  4. ^ Najjar, Dany. "Clinical optics and refraction". Eyeweb. http://www.eyeweb.org/optics.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-25. 
  • Greivenkamp, John E (2004). Field Guide to Geometrical Optics. SPIE Field Guides vol. FG01. Bellingham, Wash: SPIE. ISBN 9780819452948. OCLC 53896720. 
  • Hecht, Eugene; Alfred, Zając (1987). Optics (2nd ed.). Reading, Mass: Addison–Wesley. ISBN 9780201116090. OCLC 13761389. 

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • dioptre — [ djɔptr ] n. m. • 1547; gr. dioptra ♦ Phys. Surface optique séparant deux milieux de réfringence inégale. ● dioptre nom masculin (grec dioptron, miroir) Surface séparant deux milieux transparents inégalement réfringents. dioptre n. m. OPT… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • dioptre — 1. (di o ptr ) s. m. Terme de chirurgie. Sorte de spéculum. ÉTYMOLOGIE    Terme composé de deux mots grecs signifiant à travers et voir. dioptre 2. (di o ptr ) s. f. Terme d arpentage. Quart de cercle, instrument armé de pinnules à travers… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Dioptre — Di*op tre, n. [F. See 2d {Dioptric}.] (Optics) A unit employed by oculists in numbering glasses according to the metric system; a refractive power equal to that of a glass whose principal focal distance is one meter. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Dioptre — En optique, un dioptre est une surface séparant deux milieux transparents d indices de réfraction différents. Si la lumière se propage en ligne droite dans un milieu homogène et isotrope, elle est déviée lors du passage d un dioptre : il y a …   Wikipédia en Français

  • dioptre — n. the unit of measurement of the power of refraction of a lens. One dioptre is the power of a lens that brings parallel light rays to a focus at a point one metre from the lens, after passing through it. A stronger lens brings light rays to a… …   Medical dictionary

  • dioptre — n. the unit of measurement of the power of refraction of a lens. One dioptre is the power of a lens that brings parallel light rays to a focus at a point one metre from the lens, after passing through it. A stronger lens brings light rays to a… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • dioptre — n. (US diopter) Optics a unit of refractive power of a lens, equal to the reciprocal of its focal length in metres. Etymology: F dioptre f. L dioptra f. Gk dioptra: see DIOPTRIC …   Useful english dictionary

  • Dioptre (outil) — Dioptra Une dioptra est un instrument astronomique classique et un instrument d arpentage, datant du IIIe siècle. Le dioptra est un tube de visée ou, à défaut, une tige avec un œilleton à ses deux extrémités, attaché à un pied fixe. S il est muni …   Wikipédia en Français

  • dioptre — unit of measurement of power of lens or eye Units of Measurement …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • dioptre — n. unit of measure of the refractive power of a lens (Optics) …   English contemporary dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”