Sichtachse

Sichtachse is a term used in German-speaking technical and scientific contexts to denote the line along which an observer or a optical system perceives a scene—the line of sight. It describes the direction of gaze or viewing in relation to a device, component, or environment.

In optics and engineering, the Sichtachse is a central reference for aligning elements such as cameras, sensors, lenses, and displays. When the Sichtachse is properly aligned with the optical axis of a system, imaging accuracy, targeting, and user comfort are typically enhanced. The concept is especially important in head-mounted displays, augmented reality devices, robotics, and measurement instruments where precise gaze direction or sighting is required.

Relation to other axes can vary by discipline. The optical axis of a lens or optical assembly is a geometrical construct perpendicular to the imaging surfaces, and in ideal designs the Sichtachse coincides with this axis. In ophthalmology and visual sciences, a similar term may refer to the visual axis, the anatomical line that connects the fovea with the object of regard, which can differ from the pupil or optical axes due to eye anatomy.

Measurement and calibration of the Sichtachse are used to ensure accurate alignment between human observers and instrumentation, improve image registration, and support ergonomic or safety considerations in devices that rely on gaze or sight directions. The term emphasizes the practical axis along which sight information is captured or interpreted.