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Diffraction-Limited Angular Resolution — result sheet
Calculate the Rayleigh diffraction-limit angular resolution of a circular aperture from wavelength and diameter.
Inputs used
Results
Visual chart
Breakdown
Calculation steps
Returned data table
Formula and methodology
Formula: Rayleigh angular resolution theta = 1.22 lambda/D for wavelength lambda and circular-aperture diameter D; report radians and arcseconds. This is a diffraction-limit relation only.
This calculator evaluates the Rayleigh diffraction-limit relation for an ideal circular aperture and returns angular resolution in radians and arcseconds. It does not guarantee instrument performance or provide instrument-design advice.
This result follows the calculator's declared inputs, precision, validation boundaries, and model limits.
Input contract
- Wavelength — m; Finite positive wavelength in metres.; minimum 1.0E-12; maximum 1
- Circular aperture diameter — m; Finite positive circular-aperture diameter in metres.; minimum 1.0E-6; maximum 1000000
Worked example
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Wavelength | 5.0E-7 |
| Circular aperture diameter | 0.1 |
Diffraction-limit resolution is 0.0000061 radians, or about 1.258 arcseconds.
Assumptions and limits
- Wavelength and circular-aperture diameter are finite positive values in metres, and the aperture is treated as a circular ideal pupil.
- The 1.22 Rayleigh factor is applied to a single wavelength under an ideal diffraction-only comparison with no atmospheric, detector, aberration, or tracking terms.
- This is a diffraction-limit relation only. It is not an instrument performance guarantee and does not provide optical or instrument-design advice.
Calculator note
Source and methodology
Use the official WorldCalculate methodology policy for the source, formula, precision, and boundary standards behind this calculator.
Planning estimate, not financial, medical, legal, or professional advice. © WorldCalculate — reuse with attribution. Built and curated by Hassan ALRowaie.
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