Validate optical physics parameters including Fresnel numbers, diffraction regimes, and resolution limits. This skill should be used when configuring Telescope, Microscope, or Camera instruments to ensure physically realistic parameters.
Validate optical physics parameters for PRISM instruments to ensure physically realistic configurations.
Optical imaging simulations require careful parameter selection to produce physically meaningful results. This skill validates that instrument configurations respect fundamental optical physics constraints.
Use this skill when:
The Fresnel number determines the diffraction regime:
# Fresnel number formula
F = d**2 / (wavelength * distance)
# where:
# d = aperture diameter
# wavelength = light wavelength
# distance = propagation distance
Interpretation:
| Fresnel Number | Regime | Propagation Method |
|---|---|---|
| F << 0.1 | Fraunhofer (far-field) | FFT-based |
| F >> 10 | Fresnel (near-field) | Angular Spectrum |
| 0.1 <= F <= 10 | Transition | Angular Spectrum recommended |
PRISM Implementation:
from prism.config.constants import is_fraunhofer, is_fresnel
# Check diffraction regime
wavelength = 500e-9 # 500 nm
aperture_diameter = 0.1 # 10 cm
distance = 1000 # 1 km
fresnel_number = aperture_diameter**2 / (wavelength * distance)
if fresnel_number < 0.1:
print("Fraunhofer regime - use FFT propagation")
elif fresnel_number > 10:
print("Fresnel regime - use Angular Spectrum")