Total internal reflection mirror?

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SUMMARY

Total internal reflection (TIR) occurs when light hits a boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle, resulting in 100% reflection, barring attenuation losses. In the discussion, a hypothetical scenario involving a cone with a 45-degree angle and a transparent material with the same critical angle is presented. While the theoretical expectation is that 100% of the light would be reflected, practical challenges arise due to the difficulty in creating a perfect cone-shaped retro-reflector. Typically, TIR reflectors are designed as prisms to ensure optimal reflection efficiency.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of total internal reflection principles
  • Familiarity with critical angles in optics
  • Knowledge of light behavior in transparent materials
  • Basic concepts of retro-reflectors and their geometries
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  • Research the properties of critical angles in various materials
  • Explore the design and functionality of prism-based retro-reflectors
  • Investigate the challenges of manufacturing cone-shaped optical devices
  • Learn about attenuation losses in optical systems
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Optics students, optical engineers, and professionals involved in designing reflective materials and devices will benefit from this discussion.

Smacal1072
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Hi all,

From what I understand, total internal reflection reflect 100% of light. Suppose you had a transparent material with a critical angle of 45 degrees. Now say you had a cone with a 45 degree angle, and you shined monochromatic light in through the base. Would 100% be reflected (minus attenuation loss)?

Thanks
 
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From what I remember from my course in optics, I'd say yes, but I must admit I have never seen or heard about a cone-shaped retro-reflector; they are usually always prisms. I suspect that the reason TIR reflectors aren't cone-shaped has to do with difficulty of getting a perfect round surface of a crystal material that really is best for flat surfaces.
 

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