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Optics and information theory

JUL 01, 1961
Modern optical technology is being revolutionized through the use of the statistical methods of information theory in problems involving light‐gathering processes. The author is a preliminary designer of infrared and optical systems with the Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle, Washington.
Richard K. McDonald

Physical processes can sometimes be best described by analogies to apparently unrelated situations. Thus, viscous flow of molasses might be visualized by a mechanical model of springs, dead weights, and dashpots, and the problems of pumping molasses through pipes might be simulated by the flow of electricity through resistors. One resorts to such physical analogies to take advantage of simpler mathematical procedures or more advanced theories in some other domain.

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More about the Authors

Richard K. McDonald. Boeing Airplane Company, Seattle, Washington.

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This Content Appeared In
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Volume 14, Number 7

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