The Rayleigh criterion provides a convenient way to describe the theoretical resolution (e.g. an ability to distinguish two bright objects ) of an optical system. The criterion states that two small bright sources of light can be resolved if the first diffraction minimum of the image of one source point just coincides with of further apart then the first maximum of another (see figure below). A converging lens, 31.5 mm in diameter, is used to form images of distant objects. Considering the diffraction by the lens, what angular separation must two distant point objects have in order to satisfy Rayleigh's criterion? Assume that the wavelength of the light from the distant objects is 516 nm. Provide your answer in millidegrees (mdeg).

The Rayleigh criterion provides a convenient way to describe the theoretical resolution (e.g. an ability to distinguish two bright objects ) of an optical system. The criterion states that two small bright sources of light can be resolved if the first diffraction minimum of the image of one source point just coincides with of further apart then the first maximum of another (see figure below). A converging lens, 31.5 mm in diameter, is used to form images of distant objects. Considering the diffraction by the lens, what angular separation must two distant point objects have in order to satisfy Rayleigh's criterion? Assume that the wavelength of the light from the distant objects is 516 nm. Provide your answer in millidegrees (mdeg).