Expert: Henry Boyter - 8/7/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hello, I had an idea for a new invention, but I am not well versed in science.  I was wondering if there was a material or substance that lets light pass through on one side, but is reflective on the other side?  Thank you
Answer -
Clarification needed.

1. Does it have to be a single material?  if yes, then you are asking the impossible.

2. If two materials ok what happens to the light that passes into the first side?

Explain it in comparison to a mirror.


No, if it takes a compund material, it will still work.  The light tat passes through will go into a chamber completely reflective, and if the entrance it came through is reflective, then it will be unable to escape anywhere.  This is the goal.


Answer
I think a doped glass or quartz mirror will do it.  The dopant will scatter the laight so much it is not reflected.  The other alternative would be to do a
glass, polarized sheet, glass, opposite polarized sheet, reflective back.  The opposite polarized sheet will prevent the reflected light from reflecting back out.  You could try this with teo pieces of glass, two polarized sheets(sunglasses will approxiamte), and a mirror.  As far as a dopant you would need to find a glass/mirror specialist on the internet.  It would be similar to the material in sunglasses.  Sorry, that's all I've got.