Saturation

Saturation is a term used in several disciplines to denote a state in which a system can no longer absorb, respond to, or differentiate additional input of a given kind. In science and engineering, the concept usually implies a limit set by material properties or device constraints.

In chemistry, a saturated solution contains dissolved solute at its solubility limit for a given temperature, in dynamic equilibrium with undissolved solute. If more solute is added, it remains undissolved. Solubility often increases with temperature for most solids in liquids, while gases become less soluble as temperature rises.

In color and imaging, saturation describes the intensity or purity of a color. A fully saturated color has no gray component; lower saturation moves toward gray. In digital imaging and graphic design, saturation controls adjust vividness; excessive saturation can produce unrealistic colors.

In physics and materials science, magnetic saturation occurs when a material's magnetic moments align to the maximum extent possible in an applied field, yielding a maximum magnetization. In electrical engineering, cores in transformers and inductors can saturate, causing a loss of inductance and distortion of signals. In transistor and amplifier circuits, saturation refers to the region where the output cannot increase further with input, or where the output is clipped by supply rails.

In sensing systems, saturation can occur in detectors or sensors, for example a camera sensor reaching pixel capacity, producing clipping in bright areas.