Optical: systems and elements – Relief illusion
Patent
1992-04-20
1994-03-29
Sugarman, Scott J.
Optical: systems and elements
Relief illusion
359479, 359665, 359667, G02B 106, G02B 312, G02B 2722
Patent
active
052990583
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method of artificially reproducing a mirage-like phenomenon.
BACKGROUND ART
A mirage is a phenomenon caused as a result of the bending of light rays, which should go straight ahead by nature, due to a difference in the refractive index attributable to a difference in the temperature of the air, and more particularly a phenomenon in which distant objects such as buildings or trees are seen stretched, shrunken, inverted, or displaced. A mirage seen in winter in Uozu, Japan, a mirage seen in spring, a mirage over deserts, and an inferior mirage seen on a hot road are known as representative mirage-like phenomena seen in the nature.
Although various theories have been introduced as the cause of these phenomena, the matter remains unelucidated as yet. Although attempts have been made to reproduce these phenomena, the reproduction of a clear mirage-like image at any time has yet been unsuccessful. Further, since it has been believed that a depth of at least 100 m is necessary for realizing a mirage by making use of a gas, it has been thought to be utterly impossible to artificially reproduce a clear mirage-like image on a small scale.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of reproducing a mirage-like phenomenon which enables a desired mirage-like phenomenon to be clearly reproduced at any time.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention has been made with a view to solving the above-described problems, and the above-described object has been attained by providing a method of reproducing a mirage-like phenomenon, characterized by forming a structure comprising at least two see-through phases wherein the density of a lower phase in contact with an upper phase is larger than that of the upper phase, the density ratio (A) therebetween is 1<A<50 and the interface between the lower phase and the upper phase has an even or curved surface, and seeing a real object through at, least one interface of the structure comprising at least two phases, thereby enabling a mirage-like image to be visualized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a basic flow sheet for Example 2 wherein use is made of a liquefied gas packed in a gas cylinder;
FIG. 2 is a basic flow sheet for Example 3 wherein use is made of a vaporized substance which is liquid in the normal state;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the form of a smoke layer formed on a perforated plate in Example 4; and
FIG. 4 is a basic flow sheet for Example 4 wherein use is made of an air curtain.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, the phases of a two-phase structure may be any of a gas phase, a liquid phase and a solid phase, preferably a gas phase and a liquid phase, particularly preferably a gas phase.
In the upper phase and the lower phase in contact with each other, the density of the lower phase (A.sub.1 g/cm.sup.3) should be larger than that of the upper phase (A.sub.2 g/cm.sup.3), and the density ratio therebetween (A=A.sub.1 /A.sub.2) is 1<A<50, preferably 1.0005<A<30, particularly preferably 1.1<A<20. When A is 1 or less, the visual effect is poor. On the other hand, when A is 50 or more, the image turns to an unnatural virtual image which is unfavorable from a visual viewpoint. The method of measuring the density and the numerical value thereof are determined by the description in Chapter 5.1 of "Kagaku Binran, Kisohen, II (1966)".
Further, in general, the refractive index (N.sub.1) of the lower phase should be larger than the refractive index (N.sub.2) of the upper phase, and the refractive index ratio (N=N.sub.1 /N.sub.2) is preferably 1.0005<N 1.2, particularly preferably 1.0008<N<1.15, still preferably 1.001<N<1.1. The method of measuring the refractive index and the numerical value thereof are determined by the description in Chapter 10.2 of "Kagaku Binran, Kisohen, II (1966)".
The "even surface" in the present invention may be any one having many unevennesses as far as the average state of the une
REFERENCES:
patent: 3402980 (1968-09-01), Hutson
patent: 3413059 (1968-11-01), Berreman
Amemiya Isamu
Aoki Koji
Tanaka Tetsu
Tomikawa Chikanobu
Nippon Carbide Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Sugarman Scott J.
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