Dispersing light through a polymer

[SportSC4]

Ok, this is kind of a request also...

But do you guys know of any plastics that can disperse light when the light is applied perpendicular to the plastic? For example (if i messed up trying to explain it, hehe), I take a red flashlight, point it at a piece of plastic at 90 degrees, and the entire piece of plastic turns red.

I know it can be done if its applied to the side of most plastics (ie. led at the end of a clear acrylic rod with multiple notches to refract the light will light it up)

im still not sure if i explained myself correctly... i can expand on the thoughts if need be. If anyone knows what i'm talking about, any ideas on where to purchase?

Thanks.

 

[Menelaos]

Simple geometrical optics makes this impossible.

If you just need it to produce light (as for eye-candy), you might wanna try to makes some grooves at the bottom of the plastic. When the light hits the grooves from above, it MIGHT get scattered and MIGHT propagate through the rest of the plastic. It wont be much, but maybe its enough for what you need.

Now that i think of it, if you make a bigger cut (/\ shaped), you should be able to capture more light.

Good luck,

Menel.

 

[CTho9305]

if you search google for "glowpad" you might find something that is similar to what I think you're asking for.