Spherical glass object with index of refraction N

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of light being totally internally reflected within a spherical glass object with a specific index of refraction (N). It is established that while fiber optic communications utilize total internal reflection, a spherical object cannot achieve permanent light confinement due to geometric limitations. The key principle involved is Snell's Law, which governs the refraction of light rays and indicates that there is a maximum angle of refraction that prevents light from being trapped indefinitely within the sphere.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's Law for light refraction
  • Basic geometry related to angles and circles
  • Knowledge of optical principles, specifically total internal reflection
  • Familiarity with fiber optic communication concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Snell's Law and its applications in optics
  • Explore the geometry of light paths in spherical objects
  • Research total internal reflection and its role in fiber optics
  • Investigate the limitations of light confinement in various geometrical shapes
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Students and professionals in optics, physicists, and engineers interested in the principles of light behavior in different materials and geometries.

leon1127
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imagine there is a spherical glass object with index of refraction N
is that possible that for some N and angle of incidence A, the light will be total internal reflected forever. In other word, the light will travel within the object forever?
i have been trying to proof it. but i don't know much about optic... so no where to start at
 
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What you are describing is the operating principle behind fiber optic communications.
 
For a cylindrical object with light coming in one end, yeah... but for a spherical object there's no incident angle that causes the light to be trapped permanantly inside.

Leon, all you need for this is Snell's Law for refraction of a light ray, and a bit of geometry. Note that the angle of the ray after the first refraction (entering the sphere) has a certain maximum value, no matter what the incident angle is. That would be a good starting point for a proof.
 
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