Numerical Aperture Calculator: The Heart of Optical Performance
Used by microscopists, fiber engineers, and lens designers worldwide, our numerical aperture calculator delivers precision from Tokyo labs to Silicon Valley cleanrooms.
"Lux in tenebris" — Light in darkness.
How the Numerical Aperture Calculator Works
Core formula:
NA = n × sin(θ)
n = refractive index, θ = half-angle of cone
n = refractive index, θ = half-angle of cone
Numerical Aperture Calculator: Four Critical Modes
Microscope NA Mode
Air, water, oil immersion objectives in our numerical aperture calculator.
Fiber Optic NA Mode
Core/cladding index difference for light acceptance.
Lens Design Mode
f-number to NA conversion.
Resolution Limit Mode
Rayleigh, Abbe, Sparrow criteria.
Numerical Aperture Calculator: Global NA Standards
| Application | Typical NA | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Low Mag | 0.10–0.25 | ~2–5 µm |
| High Dry | 0.65–0.95 | ~300 nm |
| Oil Immersion | 1.25–1.49 | ~180 nm |
| Fiber (SM) | 0.10–0.14 | N/A |
Numerical Aperture Calculator: Resolution Formulas
- Abbe: d = λ / (2 × NA)
- Rayleigh: d = 1.22 × λ / (2 × NA)
- Sparrow: d = 0.95 × λ / (2 × NA)
Pro Tips for Using the Numerical Aperture Calculator
- Oil NA > 1.0 only with immersion
- Max angle ~70° due to total internal reflection
- n₂ < n₁ for fiber NA > 0
- Use 550 nm for visible light average
- Coverslip correction critical for high NA
Push the Limits of Light
From confocal to telecom, our numerical aperture calculator is the global optics benchmark.
Calculate NA Now