collimator
noun
Forms collimators
- noun (physics) An optical device that generates a parallel beam of light. Often used to compensate for laser beam divergence.
- noun (physics) A similar device that produces a parallel beam of particles such as neutrons.
- noun (astronomy) A small telescope attached to a larger one, used to point it in the correct general direction.
Etymology
From collimate + -or.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A telescope arranged and used to determine errors of collimation, both vertical and horizontal. Nichol.
- noun A tube having a convex lens at one end and at the other a small opening or slit which is at the principal focus of the lens, used for producing a beam of parallel rays; also, a lens so used.
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “collimator”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details