| mirror effect | <physics> A charged particle travelling into an increasing magnetic field will (if the field becomes strong enough) reverse direction and be reflected back. This is a direct result of the adiabatic invariance of the magnetic moment. Plasmas can be confined by devices which utilise this effect. The effect also occurs in some toroidal plasmas, since the toroidal magnetic field is stronger on the inboard side than on the outboard side, in this case it gives rise to so-called neoclassical effects. The strength of the mirror is determined by the mirror ratio. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| mirror, first or front surface | <microscopy> An optical mirror on which the reflecting surface is applied to the front surface of the mirror instead of to the back, that is, to the first surface of incidence. (05 Aug 1998) |
| mirror speech | A reversal of the order of syllables in a word, analogous to mirror writing. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mirror-writing | Writing backward, from right to left, the letters appearing like ordinary writing seen in a mirror. Synonym: retrography. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mouth mirror | A small mirror on a handle used to facilitate visualization in the examination of the teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| concave mirror | A spherical reflecting surface that constitutes a segment of the interior of a sphere. (05 Mar 2000) |
| convex mirror | A spherical reflecting surface that constitutes a segment of the exterior of a sphere. (05 Mar 2000) |
| head mirror | A circular concave mirror attached to a head band, used to project a beam of light into a cavity, such as the nose or larynx, for purposes of examination and permitting binocular vision. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Abbe theory of image formation | <optics, physics> Abbe's theory is based on the fact that a non-self-luminous particle, which is illuminated by an extraneous source, gives rise to diffracted light rays, in addition to the dioptric pencil. He stated that to form a good microscopical image as many of the diffracted rays as possible should be intercepted by the objective. With closely ruled lines, his theory is easily demonstrated by observing the back lens of the objective, for here the diffracted rays can be observed directly if the aperture diaphragm is closed. It can be shown that, when the illumination is arranged to exclude the diffracted images, resolution is lost. (11 Mar 1998) |
| accidental image | Continuation of visual impression after cessation of stimuli causing the original image. (12 Dec 1998) |
| body image | A term for the concept which each individual has of his own body as an object in and bound by space, independently and apart from all other objects. (12 Dec 1998) |
| radiographic image enhancement | Improvement in the quality of an X-ray image by use of an intensifying screen, tube, or filter and by optimum exposure techniques. Digital processing methods are often employed. (12 Dec 1998) |
| radiographic image interpretation, computer-assisted | Computer systems or networks designed to provide radiographic interpretive information. (12 Dec 1998) |
| real image | An image formed by the convergence of the actual rays of light from an object. Synonym: inverted image. (05 Mar 2000) |
| catatropic image | <ophthalmology, physiology> The two images formed by the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea and the two images formed by the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens. Synonym: catatropic image, Purkinje images, Sanson's images. (05 Mar 2000) |