Optical Prism Application Examples

The design and functionality of a prism depend on its angle, position, and the number of surfaces it possesses. Understanding how various prisms operate is vital for their effective use in light reflection and refraction applications. Some widely utilized examples include right angle prisms, roof prisms, and combination prisms. For comprehensive information about the theory behind prisms and a detailed selection guide featuring over ten unique geometries, refer to our resource, "Introduction to Optical Prisms."

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Right Angle Prism

The right angle prism, with angles of 45° - 90° - 45°, is among the most commonly used prisms. It has diverse applications relating to image parity or deviation. Specifically, the primary function of this prism is to ensure a single reflection that deviates an incident ray by 90°. Consequently, the image produced typically becomes left-handed, although its orientation may vary depending on the prism's position (Refer to Figure 1).

Inversion and Reversion

When employing the hypotenuse face of this prism, a configuration known as the porro prism is achieved, which produces a right-handed image due to the occurrence of two reflections. This prism effectively reverses the direction of the ray, with the object entering and the image exiting the same face (Refer to Figure 2).

Dove Prism Configuration

Additionally, a right angle prism can function as a dove prism, which rotates the image by 180°. As this involves only one reflection, the image will either be reverted or inverted, contingent on the prism’s position (Refer to Figure 3).

Roof Prism

Roof prisms comprise two reflective surfaces situated at 90° to each other. Their function parallels that of other reflecting surfaces, maintaining the handedness of the image. A typical example is the amici prism, which essentially provides the same deviation of 90° as a right angle prism, yet without altering parity. Roof prisms are frequently utilized alongside others to achieve the desired image orientation.

Combination Prisms

Various combination prisms can be engineered through slight adjustments to surface orientations and coatings. The final application dictates the necessary prism type. Prominent examples include the porro system, Pechan (roof) prism, and beamsplitters.

Porro System

Often paired with themselves, porro prisms create a porro system featuring four reflections, producing an upside-down image while retaining right-handedness. This ability makes them significantly beneficial for binoculars and telescope applications. It’s essential to account for the ray path displacement when syncing additional optical components like objective lenses or eyepieces.

Pechan-Roof Prism

The Pechan (roof) prism consists of a Schmidt prism combined with a half-penta prism, yielding six reflections and a small air gap to promote total internal reflection within the system. This design ensures that while the image is inverted, the right-handedness is preserved.

Cube Beamsplitter

The cube beamsplitter is a distinguishable combination prism made from two right-angle prisms. When coated on the hypotenuse of one prism, it enables the splitting of an incident beam into transmitted and reflected parts based on the defined coatings. The craftsmanship involved in adhering the prisms optimally often renders purchasing a ready-made beamsplitter advantageous.

Edmund Optics produces prisms across various geometries, catering to applications from simple dispersion to intricate multi-optical element solutions. An understanding of the optical principles underlying each design aids in selecting the most suitable prism or combination for a specific application.

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