Advertisement

Advertisement

collimator

[ kol-uh-mey-ter ]

noun

  1. Optics.
    1. a fixed telescope for use in collimating other instruments.
    2. an optical system that transmits parallel rays of light, as the receiving lens or telescope of a spectroscope.
  2. Physics. a device for producing a beam of particles in which the paths of all the particles are parallel.


collimator

/ ˈkɒlɪˌmeɪtə /

noun

  1. a small telescope attached to a larger optical instrument as an aid in fixing its line of sight
  2. an optical system of lenses and slits producing a nondivergent beam of light, usually for use in spectroscopes
  3. any device for limiting the size and angle of spread of a beam of radiation or particles
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


collimator

/ kŏlə-mā′tər /

  1. A device that turns incoming radiation, such as light, into parallel beams. Simple collimators consists of a tube having a narrow, variable slit at one end and a convex lens at the other. Radiation entering the tube through the slit exits the lens in the form of parallel beams. Collimators are used to establish focal lengths of lenses and to measure the distance of distant objects whose position is known.


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of collimator1

First recorded in 1815–25; collimate + -or 2
Discover More

Example Sentences

The slit and lens, together with the tube in which they are usually supported, are called a collimator.

The form of spectroscope mentioned above, in which the collimator and slit are replaced by a concave lens, will be tried.

The French collimator sight for the 75-millimeter gun presented difficulties to the manufacturer, especially in the optical parts.

The collimator and observing telescope have an aperture of 25 mm., focus of 200 mm.

The slit and collimator are shown; the micrometer end of the observing telescope is out of the picture.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


collimatecollinear