A dispersive prism can be used to break white light up into its constituent spectral colours. It is typically a 3D-ish glass triangle (but with 5 sides) better described as a polyhedron.
The diagram from Wikipedia shows how a prism works as the white light travels from left to right and passes through the prism
We have a piece of window film affixed to my den window. It allows light to pass through but scatters it into a rainbow-like spectrum. Strictly speaking, i guess it is not a prism because a prism, as described above, is made of glass. It is prismatic, however, in that it disperses white light into a spectrum of component colours.
In the morning at the right time of year (like now) and when the sun shines bright, the sunlight hits the window film and passes through, casting a spectrum of light across the den wall wall opposite the chair where I hang out and catch up on your blogs. On one particular morning it hit the coffee maker more vividly than usual, or at least I noticed it more than I usually do. Keep in mind that the coffee machine is 10 to 12 feet from the window. Also observe that the beams on the wall are travelling on well past the machine, going from right to left.
Look at the spectrum on the machine and particularly on the wall behind
For this post, I had to learn that the dispersed light is not the prism as I had been wont to describe it, but it is the spectrum. Also, the window film attached to my window is not a genuine prism although it works like that well enough, so I have called it prismatic.
The window film is made by rabbitgoo [sic] and described as "Rainbow Window Films for Privacy, 3D No Glue Decorative Window Clings, UV Blocking Removable Stained Glass Tint Film, Privacy Glass Stickers for Home Office Door." A 2 metre/yard roll is priced at $20 on Amazon Canada.
I do love the rainbow effect, no matter what it's called. And I love how you appreciate Sue.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely pure colors to immerse yourself in. The color disbursed light probably tints everything you see since it is the source of your room lighting. So now I can imagine your face reading this is also a rainbow! Incidentally, spectrum is the name of our cable company here, and I have a few unspoken words that I could say about them!
ReplyDeleteWe have the same sort of thing, twice a year. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty display of color to great you in the morning. That lovely color and coffee. Can't beat it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful patterns and colours - they remind me of a kaleidoscope.
ReplyDeleteI love the prism effect. And the fact that you and Sue are obviously both still in love.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool, my head started to swim with the diagrams - I held strong and read it twice!
ReplyDeleteThat's magical! Also perfect for Pride Month!!
ReplyDeleteI love the colours and patterns.
ReplyDeleteI think I need some of that window film -- not that I want the privacy but I do want the rainbows. I have one sticker on my bedroom window that casts little prism-like reflections. Lizzie is totally baffled by it, but we like playing "Chasing Rainbows!"
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! We have a window full of prisms in the kitchen and it's glorious to watch the rainbow colors chasing around.
ReplyDeleteA fun post.
ReplyDeleteI am already trying to figure out where I could use that paper! Very cool post, AC.
ReplyDeleteI ised a rabbitgoo film on the lower pane of glass in the bathroom. Our bathroom faces west so it is the evening sun that turn on the glorious display of refracted light. Our pattern is bamboo.
ReplyDeleteI loved a prism my parents found for me when I was a kid. I still have it.
ReplyDeleteI use a similar film on the windows of my labs doors….. mine is made of small square shapes but the patterning like yours is prismatic in certain lighting conditions. I too got it from Amazon.
PipeTobacco
I just looked at the box of my film and it too is RabbitGoo….. I had not remembered that name on the box.
ReplyDeletePipeTobacco
I love that. My daughter just hung a butterfly with some white jewels hanging from it in the window and when the light hits it, we get a room full of rainbows.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the name of your window film. I am in the middle of trying to find something I like. I don't know much about prisms so this was a good lesson. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLooks as though the colors are brighter when they've passed through the caffiene. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteOk. I want one!
ReplyDeleteThat rabbitgoo sounds like a lot of fun. I shall look into it. Thank you for telling us about it.
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