Title
Transmission of p- and s-polarized light through a prism and the condition of minimum deviation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-31-2010
Abstract
The condition of minimum deviation (MD) by a transparent optically isotropic prism is re-derived, and expressions for the intensity transmittances Tp(θ) and Ts(θ) of an uncoated prism of refractive index n and prism angle α for incident p- ands-polarized light and their derivatives with respect to the internal angle of refraction θ are obtained. When the MD condition(θ=α/2) is satisfied, Ts is maximum and Tp is maximum or minimum. The transmission ellipsometric parametersψt,Δt of a symmetrically coated prism are also shown to be locally stationary with respect to θ at θ=α/2 . The constraint on (n,α) for maximally flat transmittance (MFT) of p-polarized light at and near the MD condition is determined. The transmittance Tp of prisms represented by points that lie below the locus (n,α) of MFT exhibits oscillation as a function of θ. No similar behavior is found for the s polarization. Magnitudes and angular positions of the maxima and minima of the oscillatory Tp -versus-θ curves are also calculated as functions of α for a ZnS prism of refractive indexn=2.35 in the visible.
Journal Name
Journal of the Optical Society of America A
Recommended Citation
R. M. A. Azzam and Ryan M. Adams, "Transmission of p- and s-polarized light through a prism and the condition of minimum deviation," J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 27, 2085-2090 (2010)
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-27-9-2085. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.