Light Traps

Abstract

In the February 1992 issue of the American Mathematical Monthly, J. E. Connett [1] asked whether it is possible to construct a 'light trap': a reflective-sided container with the property that a beam of light, shone into it from an appropriate direction, would be reflected inside it over and over again and never escape. Connett suggests that such a trap might be of value as a device to store light rays; however, the market for escape-proof golf holes might be even more lucrative!