Prop IR Reflections or optical stuff and mirrors?
Humanoido
Posts: 5,770
I'm experimenting with various prop architectures, i.e. Torus, etc. and have some infrared transmitters and receivers placed in various locations where some end up in shadow.
With some of these transceivers, I would like the infrared light to propagate better in and around objects or curves on the substrate. I know IR light can light up a white sheet of paper but much is absorbed and the signal + range is degraded.
Is there a better "reflection" material that can be commonly found in the kitchen, junk box, workshop, or WalMart?
I'm using the Parallax 350-00014 Infrared Receiver and 350-00017 IR Transmitter Assembly Kit.
humanoido
With some of these transceivers, I would like the infrared light to propagate better in and around objects or curves on the substrate. I know IR light can light up a white sheet of paper but much is absorbed and the signal + range is degraded.
Is there a better "reflection" material that can be commonly found in the kitchen, junk box, workshop, or WalMart?
I'm using the Parallax 350-00014 Infrared Receiver and 350-00017 IR Transmitter Assembly Kit.
humanoido
Comments
Mirrors.· Metallized mylar.· The "front surface" of glass.· They all work.· Chances are, if it reflects (i.e. you can see yourself)·then it'll "work."
Maybe I misunderstand your question but... how about foil? You could shape it a little to maximize your chances of getting a signal.
ElectricAye:
Thank you for your replies. These are all answers I wanted to hear.
How many times does that happen?!! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
My first tests will be with a homemade mirror made from common kitchen aluminum foil. I have noted there is a dull side and a highly reflective side to the foil. Some shaped surfaces can include a flat plane, simple sphere, oblate spheroid and parabola. I'm even thinking of a ball spheroid to make a kind of fish eye lens that would reduce the focal length and greatly widen the field of view. 45 degree flats can reflect around corners. Larger foil lenses will collect more light. I would think a small but simple RFT telescope is even possible for ranging at greater distances. The receiver could be placed at the focal plane to focus the light on the sensor, or a transmitter there could send out parallel light rays across space.
humanoido