Vergrößerungsmöglichkeit

Vergrößerung, or magnification, is a measure of how large an image appears relative to the actual size of the object. In optics, magnification can be described as linear magnification, the ratio of image height to object height, or angular magnification, the apparent size of the object as seen by an observer’s eye.

For lenses and optical systems, magnification is related to the distances of object and image. In the thin-lens approximation, linear magnification m = v/u, where u is the object distance and v is the image distance; the sign indicates inversion. The total magnification of instruments such as microscopes and telescopes is the product of the magnifications contributed by each component.

Microscopes use a combination of a high-powered objective and an eyepiece to achieve high total magnification, often with adjustments to working distance and numerical aperture. Telescopes provide angular magnification by enlarging the angular size of distant objects when viewed through an eyepiece. Digital devices can display apparent magnification by enlarging a raster image, which may not reveal new detail and can reduce perceived sharpness.

Limitations include diffraction, resolution, and sensor or print resolution. Increasing magnification without improving resolving power yields little real detail and can exaggerate imperfections. The term Vergrößerung derives from German, related to enlarging or increasing size; the concept is foundational in microscopy, photography, astronomy, and display technologies.