Temporal resolution
Encyclopedia
Temporal resolution refers to the precision
of a measurement
with respect to time
. Often there is a tradeoff between temporal resolution of a measurement and its spatial resolution
. This trade-off can be attributed to the finite speed of light
and the fact that it takes a certain period of time for the photons carrying information to reach the observer. In this time, the system might have undergone changes itself. Thus, the longer the light has to travel the lower is the temporal resolution.
This reasoning is subject to contention however, challenged by the teaser posed in the first few chapters of Stephen Hawking’s
book A Brief History of Time
. Using the Newton concept, gravitational effects do not seem to be subject to this time delay. The discovery of gravitational wave
s could, however, throw more light on this concept.
In another context, there is often a tradeoff between temporal resolution and computer storage
. A transducer
may be able to record data every millisecond
, but available storage may not allow this, and in the case of 4D PET imaging
the resolution may be limited to several minutes.
In some applications, temporal resolution may instead be expressed as a refresh rate
, meaning the update frequency in Hertz
, of a TV, for example.
Accuracy and precision
In the fields of science, engineering, industry and statistics, the accuracy of a measurement system is the degree of closeness of measurements of a quantity to that quantity's actual value. The precision of a measurement system, also called reproducibility or repeatability, is the degree to which...
of a measurement
Measurement
Measurement is the process or the result of determining the ratio of a physical quantity, such as a length, time, temperature etc., to a unit of measurement, such as the metre, second or degree Celsius...
with respect to time
Time
Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
. Often there is a tradeoff between temporal resolution of a measurement and its spatial resolution
Angular resolution
Angular resolution, or spatial resolution, describes the ability of any image-forming device such as an optical or radio telescope, a microscope, a camera, or an eye, to distinguish small details of an object...
. This trade-off can be attributed to the finite speed of light
Speed of light
The speed of light in vacuum, usually denoted by c, is a physical constant important in many areas of physics. Its value is 299,792,458 metres per second, a figure that is exact since the length of the metre is defined from this constant and the international standard for time...
and the fact that it takes a certain period of time for the photons carrying information to reach the observer. In this time, the system might have undergone changes itself. Thus, the longer the light has to travel the lower is the temporal resolution.
This reasoning is subject to contention however, challenged by the teaser posed in the first few chapters of Stephen Hawking’s
Stephen Hawking
Stephen William Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS, FRSA is an English theoretical physicist and cosmologist, whose scientific books and public appearances have made him an academic celebrity...
book A Brief History of Time
A Brief History of Time
A Brief History of Time is a popular science book written by renown physicist Stephen Hawking and first published by the Bantam Dell Publishing Group in 1988. It became a best-seller and has sold more than 10 million copies...
. Using the Newton concept, gravitational effects do not seem to be subject to this time delay. The discovery of gravitational wave
Gravitational wave
In physics, gravitational waves are theoretical ripples in the curvature of spacetime which propagates as a wave, traveling outward from the source. Predicted to exist by Albert Einstein in 1916 on the basis of his theory of general relativity, gravitational waves theoretically transport energy as...
s could, however, throw more light on this concept.
In another context, there is often a tradeoff between temporal resolution and computer storage
Computer storage
Computer data storage, often called storage or memory, refers to computer components and recording media that retain digital data. Data storage is one of the core functions and fundamental components of computers....
. A transducer
Transducer
A transducer is a device that converts one type of energy to another. Energy types include electrical, mechanical, electromagnetic , chemical, acoustic or thermal energy. While the term transducer commonly implies the use of a sensor/detector, any device which converts energy can be considered a...
may be able to record data every millisecond
Millisecond
A millisecond is a thousandth of a second.10 milliseconds are called a centisecond....
, but available storage may not allow this, and in the case of 4D PET imaging
Positron emission tomography
Positron emission tomography is nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body. The system detects pairs of gamma rays emitted indirectly by a positron-emitting radionuclide , which is introduced into the body on a...
the resolution may be limited to several minutes.
In some applications, temporal resolution may instead be expressed as a refresh rate
Refresh rate
The refresh rate is the number of times in a second that a display hardware draws the data...
, meaning the update frequency in Hertz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
, of a TV, for example.