7-4

I E S LIGHTING HANDBOOK
in Fig. 7-6(6). The function of the latter is simply to provide a rigid
support for the reflecting surface.
Applications: where accurate control is desired.
Maintenance: smooth surface, easily cleaned. Materials such as pol-
ished silver must be protected from the atmosphere. Others such as
anodized aluminum may be exposed to ordinary atmospheres without
serious depreciation.
Light reflected from the upper surface of a glass plate, as in Fig. 7-6 (a)
and (c), also is an example of first-surface reflection. As shown in Fig.
7-8, less than 10 per cent of the incident light is reflected at the first sur-
face unless it strikes the surface at wide angles from the normal.
The sheen of silk and the shine from smooth or coated paper are images
of light sources reflected in the first surface. Images of light sources and
other objects seen in opaque polished glass store fronts and table tops,
counter tops, and store windows are formed by first-surface reflections.
FIG. 7-6. Reflections from (a) clear plate glass and (b) from front and (c) rear
silvered mirrors.
2. Rear-surface mirrors. Some light (the quantity depending on the
incident angle) is reflected by the first surface. The rest goes through to
the silvered backing and is reflected out through the glass, as shown in
Fig. 7-6 (c), parallel to the ray reflected by the first surface (except for a
small portion that is reflected internally at the first surface and emerges
eventually as a third ray). This multiple reflection is of negligible effect
in luminaires. The household mirror is one example of back-silvered,
second-surface reflectors.
3. One-way vision or half-silvered mirrors. These mirrors are coated
with an extremely thin layer of silver or aluminum so that they are semi-
transparent. When viewed against a comparatively dark background
they appear to be ordinary mirrors, but it is possible to look through them
into a brightly lighted area. The view is dim, and likely to be tinted
with the characteristic color of light transmitted by the finely divided
metal of the coating.
Applications: where accurate control is desired but sharp images are
nonessential.
-. j Maintenance: the silvering is protected by glass; the smooth surface
facilitates cleaning.