Hyperbolic prisms and foams in Hele-Shaw cells

The propagation of light in foams creates patterns which are generated due to the reflection and refraction of light. One of these patterns is observed by the formation of multiple mirror images inside liquid bridges in a layer of bubbles in a Hele-Shaw cell. We are presenting the existence of these patterns in foams and their relation with hyperbolic geometry and Sierpinski gaskets using the Poincaré disk model. The images obtained from the experiment in foams are compared to the case of hyperbolic optical elements. ► The chaotic scattering of light in foams generating deltoid patterns is based on hyperbolic geometry. ► The deltoid patterns are obtained through the Plateau borders in a Hele-Shaw cell. ► The Plateau borders act like hyperbolic prism. ► Some effects of the refraction and reflection of the light rays were studied using a hyperbolic prism.