Penta Prism

[icecruncher]

Can anyone explain the theory and application of a Penta prism?

I've read what I can find in the description
But not enough, I don't understand how they work

BTW, NOTHING pops up on a search. :O

[VDX]

... look here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentaprism

Viktor

[edison]

Thanks for posting very interesting!!!

[icecruncher]

Thank you. that explained the optics path at least.

So Meredith Instruments has an Edmund Optics pentaprism corner for sale on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PENTA-PRISM...ty!28211!US!-1

But other than UV and IR, are they practical for anything? I mean, how do the losses compare to a standard FS mirror?

I find it strange they have never been mentioned either on here or LPF at all. Maybe they are just useless for almost anything?

It seems like cameras use them extensively, instead of mirrors, which is obviously not IR or UV for the most part.
Probably to prevent inverting the image.

[VDX]

... prisms are used mostly for reducing build size and parts count - for this it should be better in respect of energy losses or thermal stability than other beam-folding optics ...

Viktor

[laserist]

A penta prism changes the light path by 90 degrees independent of the rotation of the prism - which is occasionally useful...