EXIT SPECTRUM
Wavelength paths
| Wavelength | n(λ) | δ(λ) | Exit |
|---|
OBSERVATION CHAMBER / ACTIVE
Prism Dispersion Observatory
Adjust incident angle, prism apex angle, and material to observe wavelength-dependent refraction, exit spectra, angular spread, and total internal reflection.
optics / dispersion
Observation Model
01 / SPLIT THE BEAM
One beam, many exit angles
Set the prism, then observe how each wavelength leaves at a different angle.
The ray paths use Snell's law at both faces. The refractive index follows a fixed Cauchy model; no external data is used.
The apparatus is ready. Press APPLY to calculate the current field.
- Material
- BK7
- Critical angle
- 41.2°
- Angular spread
- —
- Exiting wavelengths
- 5 / 5
ANGLE READOUT
Deviation and spread
- Incident angle
- 28.0°
- Apex angle
- 60.0°
- Refractive index
- 1.516
- Mean deviation
- —
- Highlighted path
- 450 nm
δ = i + e − A. The displayed exit angle is calculated from the same ray geometry drawn above.
OBSERVATION CONTRACT
Light paths, not a measurement
This is a browser-local optical model. It does not measure a visitor, a device, or a physical prism.
WHAT TO WATCH
Shorter wavelengths turn more
- Shorter wavelengths use a slightly larger refractive index in the Cauchy model.
- Increasing the apex angle usually increases the deviation and can bring the exit face to the critical angle.
- STEP isolates one wavelength so the path can be read without the other rays.
MODEL NOTE
Snell + Cauchy
n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂
n(λ) = A + B / λ², with λ in micrometres. At the exit face, n sin r₂ > 1 is total internal reflection.
OBSERVATION POLICY
This chamber runs a browser-local Snell and Cauchy optical model. Angles, calculations, reports, and images are not uploaded. It does not measure a visitor, a device, or a physical prism.
Route
This chamber belongs to Shape & Space.
GEOMETRY Back to Shape & Space Route.