• MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    1 day ago

    Yes, but a clear crystal is a clear crystal.

    If you want to split light you can do what regardless of refractive index (as long as it isn’t zero), you’d just need to cut different angles and/or project the light onto a surface that’s closer/farther to get the same effect using a different material.

    • UID_Zero@infosec.pub
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 day ago

      Yes, but a clear crystal is a clear crystal.

      No, different materials have different refractive indices, even if they’re both “clear crystals.” Maybe the examples given are very close in refractive index, but they still differ, therefore split light differently. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_refractive_indices

      I’m not saying it’s the entire difference, but it certainly comes into play. It could be that the more “explosive” light example is cut identically, but held slightly askew versus the others.

      Point is, it’s not just the cut that impacts the result.

      • MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 day ago

        That’s literally my point.

        I’m saying you can’t tell the difference between two materials unless they are cut the same.

        If they are cut differently to achieve the results you are seeing, you can’t tell whether the difference is because of the cut, or because of the material.