Combining refraction and reflection in a single optical design. Catadioptric systems use mirrors to fold the light path and achieve high magnification in a compact package, while using refractive lenses to correct the aberrations introduced by the spherical mirrors.
Heard on the job
The beam director uses a catadioptric telescope to keep the housing short enough to fit on the breadboard.
Related terms
Catadioptrics
The branch of optics dealing with systems that combine mirrors and lenses.
Telecentric
Describing a lens system where the chief rays are parallel to the optical axis, eliminating perspective distortion.
Field of view
The maximum angular or linear extent of the observable world seen through an optical system.