How small can a prism be made?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the feasibility of fitting right angle prisms over a single plasma pixel in television displays. The user currently employs a plano-convex lens and is exploring the potential of right angle prisms, specifically those measuring 0.18mm in leg length and width. Calculations reveal that at a resolution of 96 dpi, only one right angle prism can fit over each pixel, while a lower dpi of approximately 20.14 would allow for multiple prisms per pixel. The inquiry also addresses whether a right angle prism emits a single beam compared to the dual beams from a plano-convex lens.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of optical components, specifically right angle prisms.
  • Familiarity with plano-convex lenses and their beam emission characteristics.
  • Knowledge of display resolution metrics, including dpi (dots per inch).
  • Basic principles of light direction and optics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the manufacturing techniques for micro prisms, focusing on dimensions as small as 0.18mm.
  • Explore the optical properties of right angle prisms versus plano-convex lenses.
  • Investigate the implications of dpi on display technology and pixel density.
  • Learn about advanced optical design software for simulating light behavior in complex systems.
USEFUL FOR

Optical engineers, display technology developers, and researchers in photonics who are interested in the miniaturization of optical components and their applications in modern displays.

mr magoo
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See video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7mXdgF2grY"

The concept of the video is the light is directed. Right now I'm using a plano-convex lens but I'm looking at right angle prisms (not the rainbow kind).

- How small can a right angle prism be made?
- And my other question is for after you watch the video at youtube: would a right angle prism only have one beam sent instead of the two the plano-convex lens is emitting now?

My goal is to know if I can fit 7 right angle prisms over the space of a single plasma pixel.
I'm interested if this is possible in theory.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Television displays have dpi; one inch square that fits 96 pixels square.

1 inch = 25.4 millimeters
The right angle micro prism can be made as small as 0.18mm, Leg Length and Width.

(25.4 millimeters) / (0.18 millimeters) = 141.111111

So, I can fit only one right angle prism over every pixel in a 96 dpi/ppi area, and not several.
If the dpi were 20.14285714285714, then I could fit several 0.18mm, Leg Length and Width right angle micro prisms over every pixel.
 

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