optics
/ˈɒptɪks/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɑptɪks] /ˈɑːptɪks/ (ame, ipa)
optics — 名詞
1. the area of science concerned with how light travels, what it does to what we se
光學
研究光的物理性質與光學儀器的學科
the area of science concerned with how light travels, what it does to what we see, and how devices like lenses and mirrors work.
Christopher signed up for a course in optics during his second year at university.
Christopher 大二那年選修了一門光學課程。
field of study: a course in optics
Modern optics makes it possible to send light signals through very thin glass fibres.
現代光學讓我們能透過極細的玻璃纖維傳遞光訊號。
subject: optics + singular verb
Sana wrote her thesis on the optics of the human eye.
Sana 的論文主題是人眼的光學原理。
Many of today's medical imaging machines rely on advances in optics.
現今許多醫學影像儀器都仰賴光學的進步。
The lab at the institute focuses on the optics of telescopes used in space.
這間研究所的實驗室專門研究太空望遠鏡的光學設計。
- photonics
narrower; focuses on generating and detecting photons in technology
- light science
informal cover term; less common in academic writing
文法句型
optics + is/deals with + topic
用法筆記
Always takes a singular verb in this sense (optics IS a branch of physics), even though the word looks plural. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about public perception, not science.
常見錯誤
2. the way an action or decision appears to the public, especially how news reports
外界觀感
某行為或決策給外界帶來的印象
the way an action or decision appears to the public, especially how news reports and political opponents may make it look bad, even if the action itself is reasonable.
The mayor cancelled the trip because the optics of flying abroad during a strike were bad.
市長取消了出訪，因為罷工期間出國的觀感很差。
the optics of [action] are/were bad
Heloísa worried about the optics of having dinner with the senator she was reporting on.
Heloísa 擔心和自己正在報導的參議員共進晚餐會帶來不好的觀感。
the optics of + gerund phrase
From a campaign point of view, the optics are terrible if the boss takes a bonus after layoffs.
從選舉操作的角度來看，老闆在裁員後拿走鉅額分紅，觀感非常糟糕。
The board pulled the advert because the optics of joking about the storm looked cruel.
董事會撤下了那支廣告，因為拿風災開玩笑的觀感顯得很冷血。
Amani told the team to think about the optics before posting the photo online.
Amani 提醒團隊，把那張照片貼到網路上之前要先想想外界觀感。
- public perception
more formal; same idea without the PR/political flavour
- appearance
broader; can describe physical look as well as public impression
- image
longer-term reputation; optics is more about a single moment or decision
文法句型
the optics of + noun phrase
the optics + are/look + adjective
用法筆記
Always plural in this sense (the optics ARE bad), and almost always used with the definite article — 'the optics of [doing X]'. Common in news writing about politics, business, and PR. Distinguish from sense 1, where the word names a branch of science and takes a singular verb.