45 results about "Retroreflector" patented technology

A retroreflector (sometimes called a retroflector or cataphote) is a device or surface that reflects radiation (light, usually) back to its source with a minimum of scattering. In a retroreflector the wavefront of the radiation is reflected straight back to the wave's source. This works at a wide range of angle of incidence, unlike a planar mirror, which does this only if the mirror is exactly perpendicular to the wave front, having a zero angle of incidence. Being directed, the retroflector's reflection is brighter than that of a diffuse reflector. Corner reflectors and cat eye reflectors are the most used kinds.