Optical prisms are solid glass optics that are ground and polished to geometrically and optically distinct shapes. Angle, position and number of optical planes help define type and function. One of the most recognized uses of optical prisms, demonstrated by Sir Isaac Newton, involves dispersing a beam of white light source into the colour of its components. Devices utilizing this application are refractometers and spectral elements. Since this initial discovery, optical prisms have been used in systems to "refract" light, "fold" the system into a smaller space, change the orientation of the image (also known as handedness or parity), and combine or split light beams part of the reflective surface. These uses are common in the use of telescopes, magnifiers, surveying instruments and many other applications.

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1. Characteristics of pptical prisms

A distinguishing feature of optical prisms is their ability to act as a flat mirror system to simulate light reflection in a prismatic medium. Replacing mirror assemblies is probably the most useful prism application because they both refract or fold light and alter image alignment. To achieve a single prism-like effect, multiple mirrors are often used. Therefore, replacing several mirrors with one optical prism reduces potential calibration errors, improves accuracy and reduces system size and complexity.

2. Application of optical prisms

Ordinary triangular optical prisms can split white light into its constituent colors, called the spectrum. Each color or wavelength that makes up white light is bent or refracted, but by different amounts. In optics, an optical prism is a piece of glass or other transparent material cut at the exact angle and plane that can be used to analyze and reflect light. Shorter wavelengths (those towards the violet end of the spectrum) bend the most, while longer wavelengths (those towards the red end of the spectrum) bend the least. Such optical prisms are used in certain beam splitters, instruments that analyze light, and to determine the identity and structure of materials that emit or absorb light.

Optical prisms are transparent objects surrounded by two intersecting but non-parallel planes that are used to separate light rays or disperse light beams. Optical prisms are made of transparent materials. It is widely used in optical instruments, and prisms can be divided into several types according to their properties and uses. For example, in a spectrometer, the "dispersive prism" that decomposes the composite light into a spectrum is more commonly used as an equilateral prism; in periscopes, binoculars and other instruments, the direction of the light is changed to adjust its imaging position. "Reflecting prisms" generally use right-angle prisms. Ecoptik offers different types of optics, optical prisms for sale, such as roof prisms, pyramids, quadrature prisms and pentaprisms.

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Optical prism : a complete guide

Most of us remember the famous rock band Pink Floyd&#;s &#;Dark side of the moon&#; album  cover showing a light beam been diffracted in a &#;rainbow&#; through a triangular prism. That is a very good summary of how light beam travel through a prism, below you&#;ll find a complete guide to look further in optical prisms.

What is a optical prism ?

Definition

An optical prism is a bloc of optical material cut in geometrical shape for the specific purpose of modifying the incident light beam by affecting it&#;s direction, rotational angle or diffraction.

In optical systems they are used to turn a signal or separate the signal according to it&#;s wavelengths.

Specifications

Many different optical materials can be used to manufacture a prism, depending of the type of prisms and the wavelength range they will be used in. Optical prisms can be provided with below materials  :

Below table shows the typical specifications / tolerances for optical prism manufacturing :

Specification Detail Dimensional range 0.3mm to 300mm Dimensional tolerances +/- 0.1mm (normal) or +/-0.05mm Surface flatness up to Lambda /10 Surface quality S&D 40/20 Angle tolerance up to +/- 1 arcmin

Prisms can be coated, AR to reduce signal reflection on the surface or Reflective coatings to enhance the signal reflection at specific wavelengths.

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Different types of optical prisms

Type of prism Description Usage Image Right angle prism Prism with a right angle triangular cut shape with both sides opposite to the hypotenuse of equal dimension. They are used to deviate a light path to 90° or 180° by TIR (Total Internal Reflection) Penta prism Prism with a pentagone cut shape, with specific angles. Penta prisms are used to redirect a signal by 90° without inverting nor reversing the image. Retroreflector Round base prism with three face pyramidal sphape. Return the light at 180° even without alignment of the incident light and the retroreflector. Used in topograply and other applications. Dove prism Parallelepiped which correspond at a truncated right angle prism. Rotate the image with no deviation of the beam. The rotation angle is equal to twice the prism optical axis angle compare to the incident beam. Roof prism Roof shaped prism. Used to deviate the signal at 90° while inverting it. Equilateral prism Prism made of high diffractive Abbe number glass in a shape of an equilateral triangle. Used to disperse the light with different angles for each wavelength. (think of the Pink Floyd album cover). Pellin Broca prism Quadrilateral prism with angles of 90°, 75°, 135° and 60°. Deviate the light by 90°, used in spectroscopy and for harmonic separations. Wedge prism Prism made of a plan surface and and other tilt surface. Used to deviate light signal (mostly for laser beams) Micro prism Prism with dimensions between 0,3 and 3mm of side. Used in optical fiber sysems and endoscopy. Glued prism Assembly of custom prism made by gluing / cementing, can include air space in between parts. Custom made to fit customer applications.