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Polarization properties of retroreflecting right-angle prisms
1Department of Electrical Engineering, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA. razzam@uno.edu
Applied Optics
|January 22, 2008
Summary
This study details how right-angle prisms can transform linear polarization to circular polarization using total internal reflections (TIRs). Optimal performance for quarter-wave retardation is achieved with specific refractive indices and angles, enabling versatile applications in visible and infrared spectra.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Polarization Optics
Background:
- Polarization manipulation is crucial for various optical systems.
- Total internal reflection (TIR) offers a method for altering light polarization.
- Designing optical components for specific polarization transformations requires precise control over retardance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate cumulative retardance introduced by TIRs in a right-angle prism.
- To identify conditions for achieving quarter-wave retardation (QWR) with minimal angular sensitivity.
- To explore the use of different materials and prism designs for polarization transformation across various spectral ranges.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical calculation of cumulative retardance (Delta(t)) as a function of angle (phi) and refractive index (n).
- Analysis of retroreflection conditions for achieving QWR.
- Experimental validation using prisms made of N-BAK4 Schott glass, ZnS-coated Si, and PbTe.
- Development of an algorithm to solve Sellmeier dispersion relations for refractive index tuning.
Main Results:
- Optimal QWR achieved at n=(sqrt(2)+1)^(1/2)=1.55377 and phi=45 degrees with minimum angular sensitivity.
- N-BAK4 glass prism exhibits good spectral response for QWR in the visible and near-IR (0.5-2 microm).
- ZnS-coated Si prism achieves QWR with < +/- 2.5 degrees error in the 9-11 microm IR range.
- PbTe prism provides near-half-wave retardation (near-HWR) with < or =2% error over a broad IR range (4-12.5 microm).
- A compact, in-line half-wave retarder (HWR) design using a chevron dual Fresnel rhomb is presented.
Conclusions:
- Right-angle prisms effectively function as linear-to-circular polarization transformers.
- Material selection and prism design allow for tailored polarization control across diverse spectral regions.
- The developed algorithm facilitates precise wavelength tuning of refractive index for optical components.
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