Joseph von Fraunhofer in the context of Diffraction grating

The Fraunhofer lines are a set of spectral absorption lines. They are dark absorption lines, seen in the optical spectrum of the Sun, and are formed when atoms in the solar atmosphere absorb light being emitted by the solar photosphere. The lines are named after German physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer, who observed them in 1814.

In optics, the Fraunhofer diffraction equation is used to model the diffraction of waves when plane waves are incident on a diffracting object, and the diffraction pattern is viewed at a sufficiently long distance (a distance satisfying Fraunhofer condition) from the object (in the far-field region), and also when it is viewed at the focal plane of an imaging lens. In contrast, the diffraction pattern created near the diffracting object and (in the near field region) is given by the Fresnel diffraction equation.

The equation was named in honor of Joseph von Fraunhofer although he was not actually involved in the development of the theory.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (full name: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e. V., lit. 'Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft for the Advancement of Applied Research') is a German research organization with 75 institutes and research units spread throughout Germany, each focusing on different fields of applied research. With some 32,000 employees, mainly scientists and engineers, and an annual research budget of about 3.6 billion euros, it is one of the world's leading organizations for applied research. The organization, headquartered in Munich, is named after Joseph von Fraunhofer, who, as a scientist, engineer and entrepreneur, is said to have superbly exemplified the goals of Fraunhofer.

Since the 1990s the organization has also internationalized, establishing various centers and representative offices in Europe, the United States, Asia and South America.