Capturing Light with a Theoretical Mirror Sphere: Observable? Possible?

AI Thread Summary
A theoretical perfectly reflective one-way mirror sphere would reflect light internally while allowing light to enter from one direction. If light were shone into such a sphere, it could accumulate for a time, but the practicalities of achieving this setup raise questions about how to introduce light without making the sphere opaque. The concept parallels the design of a "sail" for nuclear-powered spacecraft, which allows gamma radiation to pass in one direction. Discussions highlight the challenges of creating a truly one-way reflective surface and the implications for light capture. Overall, while intriguing, the feasibility of this idea remains questionable.
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What would happen if: I had a sphere produced from a theoretical perfectly reflective one-way-mirror(reflective on the inside) and a shone a light into it?

Would the light accumulate inside the sphere for a noticeable period of time? Would it be observable? Could light be captured this way?

Don't be too harsh if this sounds totally ridiculous.
 
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How do you intend shining a light into a solid sphere from the outside?? surely the reverse of a perfectly reflective mirror must be opaque?
 
I think he means a literal one way mirror, much like the "sail" on the proposed nuclear explosion powered spacecraft that passes gamma radiation one way, but not the other. So a perfect one way mirror would be perfectly transparent in one direction and perfectly reflective in the other.
 
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