Patent ID: 7300168

Claim:
A system for creating a colorful spectral display, comprising: (a) an array of prismatic elements, wherein each prismatic element in the array further comprises: (i) a substantially solid light-dispersing medium; (ii) a highly reflective surface attached to the light-dispersing medium, wherein the highly reflective surface is planar; and (iii) a window formed in the light-dispersing medium at a predetermined angle relative to the highly reflective surface, wherein the window is planar and further includes a clear, polished surface, and wherein the angle of the reflective surface relative to the window is fixed; and (b) at least one source of white light directed at the windows of the prismatic elements, wherein the white light enters the prismatic elements through the windows, wherein the light-dispersing medium in each prismatic element disperses the white light into a spectrum of visible colors, and wherein the highly reflective surfaces in the prismatic elements reflect at least a portion of the dispersed white light back out of the prismatic elements through the windows thereof for creating a colorful spectral display; and (c) wherein the prismatic elements in the array are arranged in a semi-arc relative to one another, and wherein the array can be selectively positioned relative to the at least one source of white light.