What is Prism: Definition and 237 Discussions

An optical prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. At least one surface must be angled — elements with two parallel surfaces are not prisms. The traditional geometrical shape of an optical prism is that of a triangular prism with a triangular base and rectangular sides, and in colloquial use "prism" usually refers to this type. Some types of optical prism are not in fact in the shape of geometric prisms. Prisms can be made from any material that is transparent to the wavelengths for which they are designed. Typical materials include glass, acrylic and fluorite.
A dispersive prism can be used to break white light up into its constituent spectral colors (the colors of the rainbow). Furthermore, prisms can be used to reflect light, or to split light into components with different polarizations.

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  1. U

    Fourier transform of RF signal with a prism ?

    Fourier transform of RF signal with a "prism"? We can use a prism to decompose visible light into components of different frequencies. This is a Fourier transform by nature. For an ideal prism, the energy is conserved in the process. How about RF signals? There is no fundamental difference...
  2. T

    Choosing the Best Prism for UV Separation in Solar Radiation - Thesis Guide

    Hi, I am working on my thesis which is going to be uv instrumentation using photodiodes. I had in mind to extract the UV from the whole solar spectrum at sea level. I know that the UV band is narrow compared to visible and IR. I also wish to experiment with the various components like...
  3. E

    Find the cone transcribing a prism

    Homework Statement Find the minimum value of the volume of a cone that is transcribing a four-sided prism with a=42cm and h=8cmHomework Equations V=\frac{r^{2}H\pi}{3} \frac{H}{r}=\frac{h}{r-\frac{a}{2}} The Attempt at a Solution From the equation above it follows that H=\frac{2hr}{2r-a}...
  4. A

    News French Surveillance Program Like PRISM: Le Monde Report

    So now it has been alleged that the French have a surveillance program that's virtually the same as PRISM. Did anyone really think normal governments don't spy on each other, even if they are allies?
  5. N

    Fitting bacterial growth curve in Prism

    Hello, I'm in need of someone to show me how to fit a bacterial growth curve to data in Prism, preferably using the Gompertz function. I also need someone to show me how to assess the goodness of this fit. I have many different growth curves and I need to compare the parameters. Hopefully...
  6. C

    Monochromatic Light and a 30-60-90 Prism Beam

    Homework Statement Red light is incident in air on a 30o - 60o - 90 o prism as shown. The incident beam is directed at an angle of φ1 = 44o with respect to the horizontal and enters the prism at a height h = 16 cm above the base. The beam leaves the prism to the air at a distance d = 41.5 along...
  7. G

    Monochromatic Light and a Prism

    Homework Statement Red light is incident in air on a 30o - 60o - 90 o prism as shown. The incident beam is directed at an angle of φ1 = 47.6o with respect to the horizontal and enters the prism at a height h = 11 cm above the base. The beam leaves the prism to the air at a distance d = 27.6 cm...
  8. S

    MHB Triangular prism on top of rectangular prism in the shape of a house......

    What formula would you use to calculate the area (excluding the base)? What formula would you use to calculate the volume? What would its longest side be?
  9. Ascendant78

    Why Is My New Optical Prism Not Showing a Clear Spectrum?

    I am trying to gain a better understanding of physics outside of my classes. As such, I decided to buy myself an optical prism to learn more about the spectrum of specific light sources, light filtering, etc. I just received my prism in the mail today, but am severely disappointed. When I was...
  10. O

    How is the Refracting Angle of a Prism Calculated Using θ and θ/2?

    Homework Statement Why the angle of a prism can be calculated by measuring θ , and then θ/2 ? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Really no idea about it , please guide .Thank you.
  11. H

    Forces Concerning a Rectangular Prism

    Homework Statement I'm wondering this for any object with moment of inertia I, but I'll ask this question for a rectangle for simplicity and I'm sure I can extend it to general objects. Say we have a rectangular object (with mass m, height h, and width L) that is attached to a wall by some...
  12. K

    Calculate the appropriate dimensions for a magnifier and thin prism working together

    Hi! :) I'm trying to calculate the appropriate lenses to use for a project. I need to magnify a 50mm by 50mm square image that is 40mm from a magnifying lens (with a radius of 12.5mm). Due to size constraints, I also have a thin prism to redirect the light. Assume the viewer (an eye) is...
  13. E

    Knowing the Refractive Index of a Prism using Microwave Transmitter

    Homework Statement A prism of 90-45-45 was placed between a microwave receiver and transmitter. What steps should I take to know the index of refraction of the prism given that its material is not transparent to microwave? I positioned the prism so that a side of the prism is perpendicular to...
  14. M

    Index of Refraction in a Prism

    Homework Statement For my lab I beamed a laser through an equilateral triangular prism. The angle of incidence was 13 degrees. The light left the prism at an angle 15 degrees to the normal. How would I calculate the index of refraction of the prism? (air = 1) Homework Equations The...
  15. P

    Using Snell's Law with a Prism

    Homework Statement Light is incident on an equilateral glass prism at a 45.0 °angle to one face. Calculate the angle at which light emerges from the opposite face. Assume that n = 1.49. θ4 = ? Homework Equations n1 * sin θ1 = n2 * sin θ2 The Attempt at a Solution n1 = 1.00 (air)...
  16. DeusAbscondus

    MHB Maximizing Volume of a Rectangular Prism: Can't Get Optimum Value for $x$

    No matter how or what strategy I try, I can't get the optimum value for $x$ in the following equation: $$V=4x^3-60x^2+200x$$ Let V=Volume of a rectangular prism, so: $$V'=12x^2-60x+200$$ Set V'=0 to get turning point $$12x^2-60x+200=0$$ The answer given in my text is when $$ x=2.11...
  17. K

    Can Yellow Light Split into Red and Green When Passed Through a Prism?

    I want to know that if yellow light pass through a prism will it spit into red and green light?:confused: I don't have prism and I need to know it soon. Thank very much.:smile:
  18. P

    Dispersion by a rectangular prism

    When white light passes through a rectangular prism, will dispersion occur? Will emerging light ray comes out as a single white light ray or as seven different colors?
  19. A

    Deriving the Deflection Equation for a Prism

    Homework Statement The problem I am having troubles with is proving the deflection of a ray by a prism can be represented by a specific equation : θd = θ - α + arcsin(sin(α)√(n2 - sin2(α)) - sin(α)cos(α)). I have derived another form of the deflection equation for a prism and I am attempting...
  20. P

    Problem: flux through prism faces

    I need help regarding a practical problem I'm facing. It's not a homework/coursework, It's a real-life problem. I have the values of a vector field (wind) given in six coordinates in 3D space. Those coordinates are the vertices of a triangular right prism (looks similar to my problem...
  21. K

    Lifting a prism; coefficient of friction

    Homework Statement A prism has a mass of m = 80 g, and you wish to lift it, touching the upper two faces only. If the coecient of friction between the prism’s surface and your skin is  = 0:4, what is the minimum force that must be applied to each face? Homework Equations F=μR...
  22. R

    Order of subgroup G - representing triangular prism

    Please see attached diagram here is what I have done in order to answer this question Triangular prism above represents the group G of all symmetries of the prism as permutation of the set {123456} Part a: is to describe geometrically the symmetries of the prism represented in the cycle...
  23. H

    Monochromatic Light and a 30-60-90 Prism Problem

    Homework Statement Red light is incident in air on a 30o - 60o - 90 o prism as shown. The incident beam is directed at an angle of φ1 = 34.3o with respect to the horizontal and enters the prism at a height h = 26 cm above the base. The beam leaves the prism to the air at a distance d = 77.2...
  24. O

    How Do You Calculate the Index of Refraction in a Prism?

    Homework Statement A horizontal beam of light enters a 45-90-45 prism at the center of it's long side, as shown below. The emerging ray moves in a direction that is 34˚ below the horizontal. What is the index of refraction for the prism? Homework Equations n_{1}sinø_{1} =...
  25. S

    What is the Correct Equation for Deviation by a Thin Prism?

    Homework Statement This really is not a Homework question, but I guess it fits in here. So, according to snell's law the ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction is a constant called refractive index. But, in our textbook while deriving an expression for...
  26. W

    Gravity anomaly of a dipping prism

    I am trying to write a MATLAB script which calculates the gravity anomaly of a dipping prism, using the equations of Hjelt, published in Geoexploration in 1974, issue 1 volume 12. Δg=G.Δρ.T0 where http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/6528/41828644.png and...
  27. TheFerruccio

    Squaring the Square -> Cubing the Rectangular Prism

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squared_square It is known that simple perfect squared squares exist, with the lowest one being of order 21. It is also known that no simple perfect cubed cube exists, for the smallest cube would, again, require cubes atop it that form another squared square...
  28. X

    Optics: Beams through a Prism

    My big problem here is with the geometry... Homework Statement I just took a picture of the problem. It's 15-10. http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/9712/optics.jpg Homework Equations n_1sin\theta_1=n_2sin\theta_2 n_{\bot}=1.6584 n_{Parallel}=1.4864 (I can't find the Parallel sign) The...
  29. K

    Diffraction of blue and red light on a prism

    Could someone help me with the path taken by the emergent ray for blue light if it is refracted most than red light rays.the emergent ray for the red light lies on the boundary of the prism after being diffracted and forms the criticle angle(c). Is the path taken by the refracted blue light ray...
  30. F

    Rotation of a rectangular prism.

    For some reason it is impossible for a rectangular prism to have pure rotation along one of its axises. For example, if you throw a hardback book in the air and try to spin it about its width then there is some distortion. What is the explanation for this?
  31. C

    How and why does a prism split white light into the colour spectrum

    [Solved] How and why does a prism split white light into the colour spectrum Homework Statement How and why does a prism split white light into the colour spectrum? Homework Equations Red light has a lower frequency than violet light. As speed of light = wavelength * frequency, red...
  32. O

    Calculate the effects of losses on the behavior of refraction through a prism

    Hello all, I'm trying to calculate the effects of losses on the behavior of refraction through a prism. Now in the regular lossless case everything is easy and known, in the case where the prism is lossy my refraction angle at the first boundary is complex and this makes it much harder to...
  33. Y

    Prism Design to Filter Out Infrared Light

    Is it possible to filter out infrared light using a prism, and if so, how? What is the math involved to do this? I want to come up with some effective, durable ways to filter out IR light for solar panels, to keep their temperature lower to make them more efficient.
  34. L

    Refraction of light through a prism

    Homework Statement Revered members, Please see my attachment which deals with refraction of light through a prism. PQ is incident ray, QR is refracted ray and RS is emergent ray. i1,i2 are angles of incidence. i1 is angle of incidence, but how i2 qualifies to angle of incidence. Similarly how...
  35. M

    What is the formula for the angle of deviation in a thin prism?

    I finally found something about thin prisms on the web I don't understand whether the angle of deviation depends on a the angle of incidence in a thin prism or not? Is the thin prism always in the position of minimum deviation?
  36. M

    Deviation and dispersion in a prism

    Hello,world [PLAIN]http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/1433/unledkzg.jpg Could you explain the reason for this?This would help me so much Thanks in advance
  37. V

    Infinitely long prism is sliced

    Homework Statement What happens when an infinitely tall vertical rectangular prism consisting of all (x,y,z) with x between a and b and y between c and d is cut by a non-vertical plane z = px + qy + k? What are the possible shapes of the slice? Homework Equations I don't know...no...
  38. M

    Unlocking the Mystery of Thin Prism: Angle & Deviation Explained"

    1.the angles of thin prism are very small ,that's why the prism is always in the position of minimum deviation angle. I don't understand this statement at all!how to prove this? the deviation angle in a thin prism depends upon the refractive index but It doesn't depend upon the angle of...
  39. F

    Exploring the High Price of Wollaston Prisms: Factors and Alternatives

    I would like to buy a calcite Wollaston prism, but they are priced €450-700 for 10x10mm to 14x14mm prisms (plus €150 for "broadband antireflection coating") which means way beyond my budget. I was wondering why are these objects that expensive? I have asked the same question to two different...
  40. I

    Minimize area of triangular prism and find the height, when the volume is V

    Homework Statement The triangular prism looks like this: http://www.korthalsaltes.com/photo/triangular_prism.jpg The triangles are "isosceles" triangles though, with the base facing down. However, this one is open on the bottom. They want me to find the height of the prism, when the area is as...
  41. L

    Angle of deflection in a prism

    Hi, Can anyone tell me how I get to the angle of deflection in a prism? How do I get to \delta=\alpha_{1}-\beta_{1}+\alpha_{2}-\beta_{2} Thanks for the help
  42. P

    Snells Law and a triangle prism

    A light ray in air strikes the flat side of a right angle prism at a right angle. The prism has 32 58 as the other angles with 32 degrees being in the bottom and the right angle being to the right of it. The light ray consist of two different wavelenghts. When it emerges at the face AB. It was...
  43. P

    Why does a plane glass not separte light? (but a prism does)

    Hey guys, I think I know the answer but I wanted to confirm... Is it that a plane glass also separates light (internally) but we can't see it because all the rays get refracted back to its original angle when it comes out On the other hand, because the shape of a prism, light that exits a...
  44. TheFerruccio

    How one should excite Surface Plasmon Polaritons on a prism?

    I've got a red laser, goniometer for aligning the angles, photoreceptor that outputs values... I've got a right angle prism with a ~40nm gold coating on the diagonal, and I *should* be getting some sort of dip in the intensity at certain angles, as P-polarized EM waves should be absorbed into...
  45. V

    Understanding Snell's Law with a Prism

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/6030/physicsch3364.png Homework Equations n2θ2 = n1θ1 The Attempt at a Solution To be honest I'm lost from the get go, I'm having trouble with visualizing what part a exactly wants. Part B, I think is just the picture...
  46. V

    What is the solution to my Snels law prism problem?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Not really sure where to start here I think this is snels law for this problem: nsinΦ = sinϑ n = sinϑ/sinφ so in order to show n = sin(Ψ+Φ/2)/sin(Φ/2) I have to show φ = Φ/2 and ϑ = (Ψ+Φ/2) Any help would be greatly...
  47. A

    Solving Anamorphic Prism Homework Statement

    Homework Statement Consider a beam of light with a circular cross section passing through a triangular prism. The prism will change the propagation direction of the beam, but also, in general, its cross section will become elliptical. This effect can be used to convert elliptical beams to...
  48. C

    How does a prism affect wavelength?

    I know that prisms create dispersion and cause different frequencies of light to travel at different angles relative to the normal, and that the prism affects the wavelength and speed of the waves, but what exactly is the nature of this relationship? Other than spreading various frequencies out...
  49. D

    Prism Optics Range of Refraction Angles

    Homework Statement Equilateral triangle prism (angles all 60 degrees) made of crown glass. Index of refraction ranges from 1.486 for longest visible wavelengths to 1.556 for the shortest. What is range of refraction angles for the light transmitted into air through the right side of the...
  50. T

    Finding the minimum angle of deviation for an equilateral prism

    Homework Statement Use the formula: n=(sin(A+D)/2)/(sin(A)/2) to find D for an equilateral prism of index of refraction n=1.50 (where A=apex angle for a prism=60 degrees in this case, and D=minimum angle of deviation) Homework Equations Snell's Law: (n1)sin(i)=(n2)sin(r)...
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