Right-angle prism

glass

Right Angle Prisms We offer these prisms uncoated or with five different coating options, namely: * Broadband Multilayer Anti-Reflection coating on legs * Protected Aluminum on hypotenuse and Broadband Multilayer Anti-Reflection on legs * Protected Aluminum on hypotenuse * Protected Aluminum on legs * Broadband Multilayer Anti-Reflection coating on hypotenuse These are some of the most versatile prisms available. They can be used as internal or external reflectors or as retro-reflectors according to the orientation of the prism with respect to the incoming light. An uncoated prism will act as a mirror for light incident on one of the short sides (legs) since incident light Is totally internally reflected at the hypotenuse. (TIR occurs when the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle which for the glass-air interface occurs at 41.2 degrees). Even though uncoated prisms work well their useful full field of view is limited to 10 or 12 degrees in the visible. It is recommended that appropriate coatings be added to optimize the range of prism uses. The Broadband Multilayer Anti-Reflection coating will withstand high power laser use, while the Protected Aluminum coating is evaporated aluminum overcoated with a layer of MgF2 to protect it from scratches and abrasions.