spherical aberration
noun
variation in focal length of a lens or mirror from center to edge, due to its spherical shape.
Origin of spherical aberration
First recorded in 1865–70
Words nearby spherical aberration
spher-,
spheral,
sphere,
sphere of influence,
spherical,
spherical aberration,
spherical angle,
spherical astronomy,
spherical coordinate,
spherical coordinates,
spherical excess
British Dictionary definitions for spherical aberration
spherical aberration
noun
physics
a defect of optical systems that arises when light striking a mirror or lens near its edge is focused at different points on the axis to the light striking near the centre. The effect occurs when the mirror or lens has spherical surfaces
See also aberration (def. 4)
Medical definitions for spherical aberration
spherical aberration
n.
A blurred image that occurs when light from the margin of a lens or mirror with a spherical surface comes to a shorter focus than light from the central portion.
dioptric aberration
Scientific definitions for spherical aberration
spherical aberration
[ sfîr′ĭ-kəl ]
See under aberration.