Diffraction Limits
Diffraction limits the magnification we can get by optical instruments
- two small objects separated by a small angular distance
- each of these produce a diffraction pattern when its light passes through small opening
- in order that the two object look separated the two diffraction pattern should not overlap
The minimum angular separation of the instrument depends on the size of the objective lens and the wavelength of light (good: to have big objective lens, and small wavelength!)