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Talks and Poster Presentations (with Proceedings-Entry):

M. Pauly, M. Eigensatz, P. Bompas, F. Rist, R. Krenmüller:
"Controlling Caustics";
Talk: Glass Performace Days 2013 - Conference Proceedings, 33731 Tampere, Finland; 2013-06-11 - 2013-06-15; in: "Glass Performace Days 2013", (2013), ISBN: 978-952-5836-03-5; 494 - 498.



English abstract:
Caustics are captivating light patterns created by materials focusing or diverting light by refraction or refl ection. 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.

Keywords:
Caustic, Refraction, Reflection, Design, Milling, Slumping

Created from the Publication Database of the Vienna University of Technology.