Diaphragm (optics) 1889 "Dictionary of Photography" (see figure), but disappeared after Ernst Abbe's theory of stops unified these concepts. According to Rudolf Kingslake, the inventor of the iris diaphragm is unknown. Others credit Joseph Nicéphore Niépce for this device, around 1820. Mr. J. H. Brown, a member of the Royal Microscopical Society, appears to have invented a popular improved iris diaphragm by 1867. Kingslake has more definite histories for some other diaphragm types, such as M. Noton's adjustable "cat eye" diaphragm of two sliding squares in 1856, and the Waterhouse stops of John Waterhouse in 1858. Diaphragm (optics) In optics, a diaphragm
Diaphragm (acoustics) Diaphragm (acoustics) In the field of acoustics, a diaphragm is a transducer intended to inter-convert mechanical vibrations to sounds, or vice versa. It is commonly constructed of a thin membrane or sheet of various materials, suspended at its edges. The varying air pressure of sound waves imparts mechanical vibrations to the diaphragm which can then be converted to some other type of signal; examples of this type of diaphragm are found in microphones and the human eardrum. Conversely a diaphragm vibrated by a source of energy beats against the air, creating sound waves. Examples of this type of diaphragm are