Resolving Power and Angular Resolution (Rayleigh Criterion) (θ_min = 1.22λ/D)
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θ_min = 1.22λ/D
What each symbol means
| Symbol | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| D | Diameter of the circular aperture (m) |
| \lambda | Wavelength of light (m) |
| \theta_{\min} | Minimum angular separation resolvable (radians) |
When to use this
Rayleigh criterion for circular aperture. Resolving power RP = 1/θ_min = D/(1.22λ). Larger aperture → better resolution. Shorter wavelength → better resolution. For microscope: d_min = 1.22λ/(2n sinβ).