Light tamers

• Autores: Philip Ball
• Localización: New scientist, ISSN 0262-4079, Nº. 2902, 2013, págs. 40-43
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The possibility of using mirrors to create complex patterns of light was first recognized by Chinese metal smiths of the Han dynasty, around 2,000 years ago. They made "magic mirrors" from discs of bronze, which had a smooth, reflective surface on one side and a pattern cast on the other. Light shining off the reflective side created a projection of the image embossed on the reverse side, as though the mirror had become transparent. Such mirrors became popular in Japan in the 16th century where they were known as makyoh, or "wonderful mirrors", but the secret of how they were made was subsequently lost. Here, Ball examines the way light interacts with three-dimensional shapes.