The Rayleigh Criterion is a fundamental principle in optics that defines the minimum resolvable distance between two point sources of light. It states that two images can be distinguished as separate when their angular separation is greater than a specific threshold, which is determined by the wavelength of light and the aperture of the imaging system. This criterion highlights the impact of diffraction on image resolution, indicating that even high-quality instruments are limited by this physical phenomenon. Understanding the Rayleigh Criterion is essential for interpreting image resolution in various optical systems.
PREREQUISITESOptics students, photographers, engineers in imaging technology, and anyone interested in the principles of image resolution and optical performance.