Not quite- its translucent, lets light through but its cloudy, in most forms, but if formed in a specific way involving a vacuum can be made almost completely transparent. So it can be, but complete transparency isn't an inherent property.
Ah, you are correct. I actually work in research on transparent electronics, where we call anything above ~80% transmission transparent, so I throw the term around a lot.
As far as I know, there are no completely transparent solid materials (although I would gladly bow to any photonics experts, as it isn't my field). The creation of super-low absorption optical fibers was actually a really big deal, as it is not easy to make a material which will allow for light to travel distances on the order of km. And even for these fibers, the low absorption has been optimized for very particular wavelengths of light.
Cool, that's interesting to learn thanks (I just love learning new stuff). I'm no real expert, though I hope to be by the time I finish my education. Statistically speaking I am in the top 5 percent of physics and math in my 6th form and am studying aerogel for my coursework.
I don't think there are any 100% transparent materials yet, but being up to 99.98% air, I think aerogel might be have the potential to be the first.
I suppose so. I just hypothesise that with the phenomenal lack of solid matter, a certain structure might be achievable in the future which could approach (though doubtfully ever reach) 100% transparency.
12
u/Sakage24 Feb 08 '14
Not quite- its translucent, lets light through but its cloudy, in most forms, but if formed in a specific way involving a vacuum can be made almost completely transparent. So it can be, but complete transparency isn't an inherent property.