Math Toys

Specular Hologram Knot

Learn more about this art form here:
Zintaglio Arts: Holography by Matt Brand
The full details of the math in this process are described in this paper by Brand.

 My freind Steve Mould has this excellent videos describing the science of scratch holography 

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Specular Hologram Knot: this complex 3D image is created by etched grooves that reflect a point source of light as glints, and each eye sees a slightly different pattern such that, via stereopsis, the shiny points appear to float above or below the surface. Complex mathematical equations must be solved to compute the shape of the thousands curves that are scratched into the surface of the metal plate. The artwork featured here is a creation of Matt Brand of Zintaglio Arts. 

 

 

Parabolic Mirror Sconce 

Get an afordable working replica here:
From Amazon: BUY NOW: Parabolic Mirror Candle Sconce 

Vintage versions often found here:
From Etsy: BUY NOW: Parabolic Mirror Sconce 

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Parabolic Sconce Candle: 29 carefully cut and aligned mirrors set to reflect in parallel what is placed at a centered point. More specifically if the flame of the candle is placed at the focus of the parabola, the light rays from the mirror segments will leave along parallel paths, allowing the candlelight to be projected in a beam. Such candle holders were common before the invention of electric light.