1. The condition that prevails when the numerical aperture of an optical source, such as a laser, light-emitting diode, or optical fiber, exceeds that of the driven element, e.g., optical fiber core.
2. The condition that prevails when the beam diameter of an optical source, such as a laser, light-emitting diode, or optical fiber, exceeds that of the driven element, e.g., optical fiber core.
Note: In optical communications testing, overfill in both numerical aperture and mean diameter (core diameter or spot size) is usually required.
Source: from Federal Standard 1037C