| Rayleigh criterion | <microscopy> A criterion chosen by Lord Rayleigh to define the limit of resolution of a diffraction-limited optical instrument. It is the condition that arises when the centre of one diffraction pattern is superimposed with the first minimum of another diffraction pattern, produced by a point (or line) source equally bright as the first. For a microscope under this condition, a 26.5% dip in brightness appears between the two maxima, giving rise to the sensation (or probability) of twoness. See: Abbe limit, Sparrow limit (of resolution). (05 Aug 1998) |
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| Rayleigh equation | A ratio of red to green required by each observer to match spectral yellow. Synonym: Rayleigh test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rayleigh test | A ratio of red to green required by each observer to match spectral yellow. Synonym: Rayleigh test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Rayleigh, Lord John | <person> British physicist and Nobel laureate, 1842-1919. See: Rayleigh equation, Rayleigh test. (05 Mar 2000) |