Well, lets first discuss what is an infinity mirror.
When the light escapes the LED, as it is radial in nature, a part of the ray escapes through the one way mirror. The other part reflects from the bottom mirror to the one way mirror and part of that ray then refracts (transmits) through the one way mirror. Still some part of the ray gets reflected and hence this process is continued till infinity.
An infinity mirror is not actually, at all related to infinity. Its just the effect it produces that has given it its name. It is a sandwich of LED strip between two mirrors.
I will be explaining it step by step for your ease.
What you need:
- Two glass panels. Both of the same shape. One of them has to be a one way mirror and the other a plane mirror (one side silvered mirror).
- LED strips and plenty of wiring. (while buying these LED lights remember to ask for a transformer or else you will end up blowing up the LEDs).
- A big piece of Polystyrene (Thermocole).
- Lots of Fevicol, or any kind of glue that can stick a thermocole and glass. (Caution: do not use fevi quick for sticking the thermocole and glass. The fevi quick will dissolve the thermocole).
- Cutters, tape and other misc accessories.
Steps:
- Cut a thermocole rim whose outer radius is about the radius of the circular mirror. Try making it around half an inch thick This will act as a base outline, and a support between both your mirrors. Remember, you will stick your LED's on this rim.
- Now when the ring is ready, stick it on the circular plane mirror with any kind of adhesive (polysynthetic resin) that will help bind the mirror to your thermocole.
- Coat the inner area of the rim with black electrical tape so as to avoid any mishaps.
- Now when you have finished the rim, stick the LED strip to the inner side of the ring.
- If you want to add any kind of extra design inside the mirror you can add it (As it is my first mirror, I have kept it simple).
- Now that you have stuck your LED strip on the inner part of the rim, put the one way mirror on top and stick it with glue on the rim.
- So the inners are done, now, electrical part.
- Connect the wires of the LED strips to their respective polarities ie. positive to positive hole and negative to negative hole. Connect the white wire (thick one) to the other end of the transformer. There is no polarity here as it is AC (polarities keep on changing), and connect the other end of the wire to the two pin plug.
- Once this is done, Let the glue settle overnight.
- And after a minimum of 6-7 hrs of wait. remove the weights and your mirror is ready.
- Now if you want, you can take this mirror to your local hardware store and frame it to hang it on the wall. Or do whatever you like. And yes, one of my LED segment is not working.
Physics Behind this:The physics is pretty simple, its all the wonders or reflection, transmission, then reflection and then transmission again till infinity. Let me elaborate it:
When the light escapes the LED, as it is radial in nature, a part of the ray escapes through the one way mirror. The other part reflects from the bottom mirror to the one way mirror and part of that ray then refracts (transmits) through the one way mirror. Still some part of the ray gets reflected and hence this process is continued till infinity.
This is a rough ray diagram of what happens. This constant reflection, transmission, and so on results in the decrease in intensity of the light hence creating the effect
So readers, If there are any queries please mention them in the comments. And as always criticism is welcome.
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