objective lens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "objective lens" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the lens at the front of a microscope or telescope that gathers and focuses light from the object being observed. Example: The scientist carefully adjusted the knobs on the microscope's objective lens to magnify the tiny specimen on the slide.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Miniature objective lens with variable focus for confocal endomicroscopy.

Harvard University

The attainable spatial resolution defined by the probe-forming objective lens is better than 80 pm.

Nature

Insets: High magnification images of the liver sections stained with anti-Myc (× 40 objective lens).

Nature

For cell counting, we collected confocal stacks at 0.5 μm intervals with a ×63 objective lens.

Nature

The earliest telescopes consisted of a convex objective lens and a concave eyepiece.

MIT Technology Review

Ion beam retarding is accomplished within the objective lens.

Optik - International Journal for Light and Electron Optics

Kit includes a Plossl eyepiece, a Barlow lens and a 5-cm diameter glass objective lens.

Columbia University

The objective lens forms a primary image at the rotating-mirror position.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An additional objective lens is used to magnify and focus the image.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was clearly of a compound microscope, with an eyepiece and an objective lens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The laser beam was focused with 50 × Olympus objective lens.

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scientific equipment, be specific about the "objective lens's" magnification and numerical aperture to provide precise details about its capabilities.

Common error

Avoid using "objective lens" when you mean "objective viewpoint". "Objective lens" refers to a physical component in optical instruments, while "objective viewpoint" means unbiased perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "objective lens" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific optical component in instruments like microscopes and telescopes. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

News & Media

6%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "objective lens" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, particularly within scientific and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a key optical component in devices like microscopes and telescopes. When using the term, ensure precision by specifying magnification and numerical aperture. Avoid confusion with "objective viewpoint", which pertains to impartiality. Common alternative terms includes "microscope objective" or "telescope objective" to provide a more specific reference. The most frequent sources using the phrase are scientific journals, highlighting its technical nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

microscope objective

Refers specifically to an objective lens used in a microscope, specifying the instrument.

telescope objective

Specifies an objective lens used in a telescope, narrowing the context.

optical objective

Highlights the optical nature of the lens, emphasizing its function in light manipulation.

lens objective

Reverses the order, but still clearly refers to the primary lens.

focusing lens

Emphasizes the function of focusing light, a key attribute of an objective lens.

primary lens

Indicates that it is the main lens, often the first lens light encounters in a system.

objective element

Refers to the lens as a component within a larger optical system.

front lens

Describes the lens's position at the front of an optical instrument.

converging lens

Focuses on the lens's ability to converge light rays.

optical component

Broader term referring to any part used in optical systems, including lenses.

FAQs

How is an "objective lens" used in microscopy?

In microscopy, the "objective lens" is the lens closest to the sample, responsible for initial magnification and resolution. Different objective lenses offer varying magnification powers, such as 40x, 60x, or 100x.

What is the role of an "objective lens" in a telescope?

In a telescope, the "objective lens" gathers and focuses light from distant objects to create an initial image. Its diameter is a primary factor determining the telescope's light-gathering ability and resolution.

Which is more accurate, "objective lens" or "objective lenses"?

Both phrases are correct. "Objective lens" refers to a single lens, while "objective lenses" is the plural form used when discussing multiple lenses, such as a set of microscope objectives.

How does the numerical aperture of an "objective lens" affect image quality?

The numerical aperture (NA) of an "objective lens" determines its light-gathering ability and resolution. A higher NA results in a brighter image and the ability to resolve finer details. Consider the NA when choosing an "optical objective" for specific imaging needs.