Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1988
Abstract
A division-of-wave-front thin-film beam splitter is described that reflects monochromatic light at oblique incidence with orthogonal elliptical polarization states. It consists of a metallic substrate partially covered with a transparent thin film that inverts the ratio ρ of the complex p and s reflection coefficients at the principal angle of the metal. Any pattern of coated and uncoated areas of the substrate is imprinted upon the reflected wave front as a corresponding two-dimensional spatial binary polarization pattern. A specific design is given that uses a Au substrate at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. The effects of small errors in the film refractive index, the film thickness, and the angle of incidence are discussed. It is noted that a layer that inverts ρ at a certain (especially high) angle of incidence is an effective ρ-inverting layer at all angles.
Journal Name
Journal of the Optical Society of America A
Recommended Citation
R. M. A. Azzam, "Division-of-wave-front thin-film beam splitter for generating binary patterns of orthogonal elliptical polarization states," J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 5, 1576-1580 (1988)
Comments
This paper was published in Journal of the Optical Society of America A 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/josaa/abstract.cfm?URI=josaa-5-9-1576. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.