(under subclass 196) Subject matter wherein a light transparent element has a surface adjacent a second element or medium which is movable into and out of optical contact with the surface.
(1) Note. A light beam incident on the surface undergoes total internal reflection. By bringing the second element or medium into proximity with the surface of the transparent element, total internal reflection becomes frustrated and the light beam is no longer totally internally reflected, but instead, is passed into the second element or medium.
