optical path

noun

1. the path of light through a medium, having a magnitude equal to the geometric distance through the system times the index of refraction of the medium.

Word History and Origins

Origin of optical path¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The researchers are also working to ensure the stability of the fiber-coupled optical path over extended periods and under more intense conditions such as running and jumping.

From Science Daily

In his tinkering, “I came up with a custom optical path that will actually allow it to work,” he said.

From New York Times

These included installing highly efficient telescopes at the ground stations and optimizing equipment components at all stages of the optical path.

From Nature

What you are seeing is simply a housefly crawling across a lens in the optical path of the system’s telescope.

From Washington Post

In this case, the optical path is not simply deflected by mirrors, and all of the imaging information is destroyed by diffuse reflection.

From Nature