Understanding Refraction: How Surfaces Impact Illumination

Light doesn’t travel in a straight line when transitioning between different materials. Instead, its direction shifts—a phenomenon known as refraction. This occurs because light waves slow down or speed up when moving through materials with varying densities, like air to acrylic or polycarbonate. To ensure your light pipe guides light effectively and prevents distortion or bending, you must account for the Refractive Index. The refractive index measures how light changes direction as it passes through a medium. The formula is: n = c / v • n: Refractive Index • c: Speed of light in a vacuum • v: Speed of light in the medium (e.g., acrylic, polycarbonate, water, or air) By calculating the refractive index, you can predict how light will behave within your light pipe and design surfaces that maximize its transmission.