Can light be filtered using red fabric?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the filtering properties of red fabric when exposed to sunlight, specifically regarding the light frequency spectrum that can pass through or be reflected by the fabric. Participants explore the implications of using red fabric as a filter in various contexts, including its effectiveness compared to optical filters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the spectrum of light that passes through the red fabric, reflecting on whether red or infrared light would be more prominent.
  • One participant asserts that a filter cannot increase light but can only remove it, suggesting that red fabric would reduce the amount of red light transmitted.
  • Another participant argues that true optical filters allow the color of the filter to pass while blocking other colors, citing examples from photography and infrared sensor applications.
  • Questions are raised about the specific properties of infrared light that make it preferable for certain applications, such as remote controls and night vision.
  • There is a discussion about the effectiveness of red filters in blocking other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, including gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet light.
  • One participant mentions the use of red filters in HeNe laser safety glasses, noting that they filter out red light, which adds complexity to the discussion about filtering properties.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of red fabric as a filter, with some asserting it would reduce red light transmission while others argue it allows red light to pass. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various types of filters and their properties, indicating that the effectiveness of filtering depends on the material and context. There are unresolved questions regarding the specific filtering capabilities of different wavelengths and the implications of using red fabric versus optical filters.

oem7110
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If I put a red fabric under the Sun, what can this fabric be filtered in term of light frequency spectrum?
Thanks in advance of any suggestions
 
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Are you asking the spectrum of light that passes through the cloth, reflects off of it, or what?
 
Drakkith said:
Are you asking the spectrum of light that passes through the cloth, reflects off of it, or what?

I would like to know the spectrum of light passing through the cloth,
since the Sunlight pass through the red cloth, will the red color of light or infrared be greater increase within the spectrum?
Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions
 
No, a filter can only remove light, never increase it.
 
The way I understand your question, The amount of red in the sunlight would be reduced
by passing through a red cloth. A portion of the red spectrum would be reflected, and therefore not transmitted. In Practice, cloth would make a poor filter, as it has all sorts of
irregular surfaces. A true red filter would reflect most of the red leaving the remaining spectrum.
 
johnbbahm said:
...A true red filter would reflect most of the red leaving the remaining spectrum.

huh ??
you better reread optics 101 ;)

all my optical filters of various colours that I use in photography PASS the colour of the filter and STOP other colours

Another example... why do you think they use RED filters in front of IR receiver sensors ?
...so that the red end of the spectrum is passed and the rest of the spectrum is filtered out
thereby avoiding false triggering and reduced sensitivity of the IR sensor

Dave
 
davenn said:
Another example... why do you think they use RED filters in front of IR receiver sensors ?
...so that the red end of the spectrum is passed and the rest of the spectrum is filtered out
thereby avoiding false triggering and reduced sensitivity of the IR sensor
Dave

I would like to know the reason why IR receiver use IR within spectrum instead of other spectrum, does it have any specific property for IR?
Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions
 
sorry I don't really understand your question
care to rephrase ? :smile:


Dave
 
If you look through a red filter, everything looks red. Like Dave said, the filter color is the light frequency that is unblocked.
 
  • #10
davenn said:
sorry I don't really understand your question
care to rephrase ? :smile:


Dave

I am interested and would like to know more about why use RED filters in front of IR receiver sensors, and the reason to select IR instead of other spectrum on this receiver sensors device.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions
 
  • #11
oem7110 said:
I am interested and would like to know more about why use RED filters in front of IR receiver sensors.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions

I gave the answer in post #6 :smile:

Dave
 
  • #12
davenn said:
I gave the answer in post #6 :smile:

Dave

... and the reason to select IR instead of other spectrum on this receiver sensors device.

Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions
 
  • #13
oem7110 said:
... and the reason to select IR instead of other spectrum on this receiver sensors device.

Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions

1) because its invisible to the naked eye so you don't see the remote control transmitters flashing light all the time.
2) Lighting up an area at nite time for camera survlence (sp?) doesn't flood the area with unwanted light
3) IR is so much easier to filter than light within the visible spectrum

Dave
 
  • #14
oem7110 said:
... and the reason to select IR instead of other spectrum on this receiver sensors device.

Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions

Infrared light is used for various purposes, including remote controls, night vision, and to observe different things in space that are either blocked in the visible range or don't emit in the visible range. Do you know what the EM spectrum is?
 
  • #15
davenn said:
...so that the red end of the spectrum is passed and the rest of the spectrum is filtered out

Dave

If I apply a red filter, are Infrared, Microwave and Radio passed? and are Gramma ray, X-ray, Ultraviolet, Visible filtered out?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions


em-spectrum21.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • #16
oem7110 said:
If I apply a red filter, are Infrared, Microwave and Radio passed? and are Gramma ray, X-ray, Ultraviolet, Visible filtered out?

I have already clarified visible light is filtered out other than the red end of the spectrum.
Radio wavelengths ... microwave or otherwise and not filtered nor are Xrays or gamma rays
Radio wavelengths ... microwave or otherwise you need a metallic screen --- basically a Faraday shield
You can filter radio/microwave frequencies using a metallic screen where the holes in the screen are
considerably less than a 1/4 wavelength in diameter... look at the screen on the front of your microwave
oven... the holes are large enough that we can see what's cooking but the 2.4 GHz radio energy cannot pass


the RED filter of the topic IS AN OPTICAL FILTER ! :frown:



Dave
 
Last edited:
  • #17
oem7110 said:
If I apply a red filter, are Infrared, Microwave and Radio passed? and are Gramma ray, X-ray, Ultraviolet, Visible filtered out?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks everyone very much for any suggestions

This isn't easy to answer, it totally depends on the material. And is your signature set to ask for suggestions every post? It really doesn't make any sense.
 
  • #18
davenn said:
huh ??
you better reread optics 101 ;)

all my optical filters of various colours that I use in photography PASS the colour of the filter and STOP other colours

Another example... why do you think they use RED filters in front of IR receiver sensors ?
...so that the red end of the spectrum is passed and the rest of the spectrum is filtered out
thereby avoiding false triggering and reduced sensitivity of the IR sensor

Dave
I understand Dave, I was thinking of type of red filter used in say HeNe laser safety glasses.
They actually filter out the red light. It's been many years, but i recall they had a green tint to them. :)
 

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