Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2002

Abstract

A trilayer pellicle that consists of a high-index center layer that is symmetrically coated on both sides by a low-index film can be designed to produce differential reflection and transmission phase shifts of ∓90° at oblique incidence and equal throughput for the p and the s polarizations. Such a device splits a beam of incident linearly polarized light into two orthogonal circularly polarized components that travel in well-separated angular directions. Examples of infrared dual quarter-wave retarders that use a symmetrically coated Ge pellicle at 77° angle of incidence are presented. A 50–50% splitter requires a symmetric pellicle with at least five layers. Error analysis shows that the thicknesses of the high-index layers must be tightly controlled. These circular polarization beam splitters are intended for operation with a well-collimated light source and can be used as the basis of a novel circular polarization Michelson interferometer.

Journal Name

Applied Optics

Comments

This paper was published in Applied Optics and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website:http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-41-1-235. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.

Download

Share

COinS