[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: (meteorobs) Transmission Gratings



Has anyone ever tried to make a fluid prism? With the aid of silicone 
cement it would be possible to assemble a hollow prism of a good 
quality float or plate glass. Theoretically this could be filled with 
a suitable dispersive solution whether sugar, glycerol, salts of 
suitable metals or other aqueous solutions or oils such as microscope 
immersion oil. Prisms would have the advantage over gratings that all 
the light goes into one spectrum but the disadvatage of unequal 
dispersion through the spectrum.
The optical quality of the glass would be adequate for camera work.
One problem would be to ensure temperature equilibration before use 
to avoid the effects of convection currents and consequent optical 
inhomogeneity. With strong solutions or pure materials freezing would 
not be a problem under most conditions.

Follow-Ups: