PRISM
NSA data harvesting
A prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light.
It is typically triangular in cross-section and is used to disperse white light into its constituent colors, creating a spectrum.
Prisms are integral to spectroscopy, where they separate light into wavelengths for analysis.
Historically, Isaac Newton used a prism to demonstrate that sunlight is composed of different colors.
Prisms can also invert or rotate images, as in binoculars.
The prism split the beam into a vivid rainbow.
Three-cornered in form
- polyhedronMulti-faced geometric solid
- facetPlane on cut stone
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- vertexPoint where edges converge
base · solid · parallelepiped · cross-section · shape · angle · surface · lateral
Wave bending between media
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- dispersionScattering across space
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
glass · triangular · beam · wavelength · diffraction · crystal · transparent · angle
Light-focusing curved glass
- viewpointWay of seeing things
- filterPorous separation device
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- interpretationAssigned meaning
angle · worldview · bias · perspective · context · through · cultural · ideological
Federal cryptologic intelligence agency
- metadataDescriptive information about content
- FISAIntelligence surveillance legislation
- SnowdenNSA contractor turned fugitive
- wiretappingCovert phone surveillance
intelligence · classified · data collection · bulk · surveillance · government · privacy · telecommunications
Device separating light frequencies
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- binocularsHandheld dual-lens magnifier
- periscopeAngled optical viewing tube
- optical instrumentLight-manipulating viewing device
telescope · beam splitter · collimator · laboratory · polarizing · dispersive · right-angle · reflecting
triangular
Three-cornered in form
- polyhedronMulti-faced geometric solid
- facetPlane on cut stone
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
vertex · base · solid · parallelepiped · cross-section · shape · angle · surface · lateral · face
refraction
Wave bending between media
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- dispersionScattering across space
light · glass · triangular · beam · wavelength · diffraction · crystal · transparent · angle · sunlight
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
interpretation · angle · worldview · bias · perspective · context · through · cultural · ideological · perception
NSA
Federal cryptologic intelligence agency
- metadataDescriptive information about content
- FISAIntelligence surveillance legislation
- SnowdenNSA contractor turned fugitive
wiretapping · intelligence · classified · data collection · bulk · surveillance · government · privacy · telecommunications · monitoring
spectroscope
Device separating light frequencies
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- binocularsHandheld dual-lens magnifier
- periscopeAngled optical viewing tube
optical instrument · telescope · beam splitter · collimator · laboratory · polarizing · dispersive · right-angle · reflecting · refracting
- Code NamesOperation Overlord, Operation Barbarossa, Operation Desert Storm, Manhattan Project, Castle Bravo
- NSANSA, signals intelligence, SIGINT, cryptanalysis, codebreaking
- surveillancesurveillance, CCTV, security camera, surveillance camera, surveillance cameras
- fast reactorsbreeder reactor, liquid metal
- Secret OperationsCOINTELPRO, Bay of Pigs, Iran-Contra, covert action, black budget
- signals intelligenceSIGINT, signals intelligence, intercept, interception, intercepts
PRISMlens
Light-focusing curved glass
mirror · filter · diffuser · absorber · color wheel
PRISMblack body
Perfect absorber-emitter of radiation
absorber · obstruction · screen · blocker · shadow
- triangular prismThree-sided extruded shape
- Nicol prismCalcite device separating polarized rays
- rectangular prismSix-sided rectangular solid
- prismatic crystalsFaceted solids splitting light