Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Conferences, Workshops, Symposiums, and Seminars
  4. Controlling caustics
 
conference paper

Controlling caustics

Mark Pauly  
•
Michael Eigensatz
•
Philippe Bompas
Show more
2013
Glass Performance Days 2013

Caustics are captivating light patterns created by materials focusing or diverting light by refraction or reflection. We know caustics as random side effects, appearing, for example, at the bottom of a swimming pool, or generated by many glass objects, like drinking glasses or bottles. In this paper we show that it is possible to control caustic patterns to form almost any desired shape by optimizing the geometry of the reflective or refractive surface generating the caustic. A seemingly flat glass window, for example, can produce the image of a person as a caustic pattern on the floor, generated solely by the sunlight entering through that window. We demonstrate how this surprising result offers a new perspective on light control and the use of caustics as an inspiring design element in architecture, product design and beyond. Several produced samples illustrate that physical realizations of such optimized geometry are feasible.

  • Files
  • Details
  • Metrics
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name

teaser.png

Type

Postprint

Version

http://purl.org/coar/version/c_ab4af688f83e57aa

Access type

openaccess

License Condition

copyright

Size

458.67 KB

Format

PNG

Checksum (MD5)

6250bfda047dd0a4774fb15063a3a7e9

Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés