Enter the wavelength of light and the diameter of the lens aperture that light is passing through to calculate the angular resolution of that aperture.

## Angular Resolution Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the angular resolution of an aperture.

θ = 1.22 * λ / d
• Where θ is the angular resolution in radians
• λ is the wavelength of light (nm)
• is the diameter of the lens

To calculate the angular resolution, divide the wavelength by the diameter of the lens, then multiply by 1.22.

## Angular Resolution Definition

Angular Resolution is the capacity of an object to separate two objects that are located at a distance. Another way of thinking of angular resolution is the ability to distinguish between objects that are close together. The higher the resolution better the ability to distinguish and the greater distance this can be achieved at. The human eye has an angular resolution itself. This resolution is extremely accurate. In fact, the diameter of your pupil changes throughout the day so the angular resolution also changes.

## How to calculate an angular resolution?

How to calculate angular resolution

1. First, determine the wavelength of the light.

Measure or determine the wavelength of the light moving through the lends.

2. Next, determine the diameter of the lends.

Measure the diameter of the lens.

3. Finally, calculate the angular resolution.

Using the information from steps 1 and 2 and the formula above, calculate the angular resolution.

## FAQ

What is an angular resolution?

An angular resolution is a measure of a lens’s ability to distinguish between the light from two different objects.