July 02, 2004 - Updated
Mirror Project - One Way Mirrors and Infinite Space
This project will develop light boxes using two mirrored surfaces arranged parallel to each other. The diagram below is a rough attempt to show the interaction of the two planes - although the diagram is technically incorrect (for a number of reasons) to make it easier to see.
The bottom plane is a standard mirror. The top plane is a 'one way' mirror, also called transparent mirror or more accurately two way mirror. It is most commonly seen as security glass in police stations (see Law & Order) or on the outside of office buildings as energy-efficient windows.
The observer (top) is the side from which one would view the box - looking through the see thru side of the security mirror. A bright light source activates the security mirror. There is a specific equation for the relative percentages of light required in order for the 'criminal' side of the top plane to appear mirror-like - but I'll have to cite that later.
When looking into the box the observer sees an infinite tunnel, eventually disappearing into darkness as light is gradually lost. It is similar to standing between two mirrors and seeing your image repeated into obscurity. The one way mirror 'traps' the bottom mirror's image(s) and repeats. Image 1 reappears at Image 2 and again as Image 3. Each distance appears as a multiple of the original distance (i.e. X, 2X, 3X...).
The initial box will be relatively small - 12 in x 12 in - and completed to see if I really know what I'm talking about, or if this is all just smoke and mirrors. (Sorry.) I'm curious to see how various light sources appear and how different wall materials appear. Also of importance is how much distortion occurs at the 'edge' between each of the image views.
If anyone has any more info on this, please send it my way.
