Abstract

A high-index quarter-wave layer (QWL) embedded in a low-index cube prism is designed to achieve 50%–50% beam splitting for incident $p$-polarized light at a 45° angle of incidence. This is accomplished when the ratio of the refractive index of the QWL to that of the prism is $n=3.336666$. Such a refractive index ratio is realized, e.g., with a Ge QWL embedded in a LiF cube at 8.357 μm wavelength. Spectral, angular, and film-thickness sensitivities of this mid-IR beam splitter (BS) are presented. Free-standing QWL pellicles of GaP and GaAs can also function as 50%–50% BSs for incident $p$-polarized light at 45° at visible and IR wavelengths of 0.610 μm and 2.929 μm, respectively. An application in interferometry is briefly discussed.

© 2015 Optical Society of America

Brewster-angle 50%–50% beam splitter for p-polarized infrared light using a high-index quarter-wave layer deposited on a low-index prism

R. M. A. Azzam
Appl. Opt. 56(23) 6583-6586 (2017)

Reflection coefficients of p- and s-polarized light by a quarter-wave layer: explicit expressions and application to beam splitters

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Broadband IR polarizing beam splitter using a subwavelength-structured one-dimensional photonic-crystal layer embedded in a high-index prism

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Infrared broadband 50%-50% beam splitters for s-polarized light

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Appl. Opt. 45(19) 4572-4575 (2006)

Simplified design of thin-film polarizing beam splitter using embedded symmetric trilayer stack

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