Nano- and Microtechnology from A - Z: From Nanosystems to Colloids and Interfaces

A

AAN

See Average Agglomeration Number.

Abbe Condenser

A condenser lens containing two or three lenses and used to adjust contrast in high-magnification (400 × and higher) microscopy. By changing the size of an iris and/or moving the lens closer to or further away from the microscope stage, the diameter and the focal point of the cone of light illuminating the specimen under observation can be adjusted. References [1, 2]. See also Illuminating Lens.

Abbe, Ernst (1840–1905)

A German physicist and industrial scientist best known for his contributions to the field of optics, including his development of various lenses and optical instruments, such as refractometers. Eponyms include the Abbe condenser in microscopy, the Abbe sine condition in optics, and the Abbe crater on Earth's moon.

Aberration

In microscopy, an optical defect. See Spherical Aberration.

Ab Initio

In science and engineering, the Latin term ab initio generally refers to developing models and/or making calculations based on first principles; without experimental data (other than fundamental physical constants).

Ablation

The reduction of particles into smaller sizes due to erosion by other particles or the surrounding fluid. May also refer to the size reduction of liquid droplets due to erosion, as in the processing of an oil sand slurry in which the oil (bitumen) is very viscous.

Abrasion

The wearing down of a surface by erosion due to particles in the surrounding fluid.

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