Abstract

The equality of the reflected and the transmitted irradiances by a beam splitter that consists of a thin absorbing coating (typically a metallic film) on a transparent plate is considered. The absorption and the phase difference between the reflected and transmitted fields are also studied. The lack of reversibility of this beam splitter introduces an asymmetry that is discussed for a Michelson interferometer.

© 1995 Optical Society of America

Characterization of symmetric, absorbing 50–50 beam splitters

J. J. Monzón and L. L. Sánchez-Soto
Appl. Opt. 35(1) 106-112 (1996)

X-ray–ultraviolet beam splitters for the Michelson interferometer

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Thermal emission from dielectric beam splitters in Michelson interferometers: a schematic analysis

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Michelson interferometer with frustrated-total-internal-reflection beam splitter

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Thin-film beam splitter that reflects light as a half-wave retarder and transmits it without change of polarization: application to a Michelson interferometer

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J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 3(11) 1803-1808 (1986)