many eyes are near the diffraction limit (for human sized eyes the diffraction limit is around 20/10 vision). To have better accuity you factually need larger eyes. Although it’s the size of the lens that matters more than pupil size strictly. The pupil modifies the lens optics but the lens determines the limit.
the diffraction limit of a lens cant really be circumvented optically, it’s a fundamental limit of light due to being waves. so some insane refractive index wont help.
Aye but light, being a wave, doesn’t travel at the same speed in every medium. In a high refractive index media the wavelengths of visible light would be shorter. Would this not reduce the effect of diffraction on them for normal-sized pupils?
The light diffracts before it reaches the lens so this wont help. Also, refraction doesnt change the wavelength of light, it just takes time to bounce and re-emit through the medium.
but elves are magical, so what if their eyes don’t care about the physical nature of light and just sorta convert it to magical pseudo-light when it contacts their tissue?
many eyes are near the diffraction limit (for human sized eyes the diffraction limit is around 20/10 vision). To have better accuity you factually need larger eyes. Although it’s the size of the lens that matters more than pupil size strictly. The pupil modifies the lens optics but the lens determines the limit.
What if the refractive index of elvish eyes were somehow absurdly high? Paired with a very high resolution and sensitivity retina of course.
the diffraction limit of a lens cant really be circumvented optically, it’s a fundamental limit of light due to being waves. so some insane refractive index wont help.
Aye but light, being a wave, doesn’t travel at the same speed in every medium. In a high refractive index media the wavelengths of visible light would be shorter. Would this not reduce the effect of diffraction on them for normal-sized pupils?
The light diffracts before it reaches the lens so this wont help. Also, refraction doesnt change the wavelength of light, it just takes time to bounce and re-emit through the medium.
but elves are magical, so what if their eyes don’t care about the physical nature of light and just sorta convert it to magical pseudo-light when it contacts their tissue?
that’s not really relevant to the question at hand. “but magic” is clearly not an interesting answer when people are playing around with physics.