Abbe number
Sign in to saveAlso known as Abbe diagram, V-number, Constringence, Abbe value
material dispersion property
~8 min read
Article
In optics and lens design, the Abbe number, also known as the Vd-number or constringence of a transparent material, is an approximate measure of a material's dispersion (change in refractive index as a function of wavelength), with high Vd values indicating low dispersion. It is named after Ernst Abbe (1840–1905), the German physicist who defined it. The term Vd-number should not be confused with the normalized frequency in fibers.
Index of refraction as a function of wavelength for SF11 flint glass, BK7 borosilicate crown glass, and fused quartz. Inset shows two sample calculations for Abbe numbers of SF11.
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optical dispersion
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