Diffraction-limited system
（重定向自Diffraction limited）
![](/Images/godic/202501/09/Ernst_Abbe_memorial5245.JPG")
![Log-log plot of aperture diameter vs angular resolution at the diffraction limit for various light wavelengths compared with various astronomical instruments. For example, the blue star shows that the Hubble Space Telescope is almost diffraction-limited in the visible spectrum at 0.1 arcsecs, whereas the red circle shows that the human eye should have a resolving power of 20 arcsecs in theory, though normally only 60 arcsecs.](/Images/godic/202501/09/Diffraction_limit_diameter_vs_angular_resolution.svg5245.png")
![](/Images/godic/202501/09/Loupe-binoculaire-p10308915245.jpg")
The resolution of an optical imaging system – a microscope, telescope, or camera – can be limited by factors such as imperfections in the lenses or misalignment. However, there is a fundamental maximum to the resolution of any optical system which is due to diffraction. An optical system with the ability to produce images with angular resolution as good as the instrument's theoretical limit is said to be diffraction limited.