Some applications of thin films to polarization devices

In the first application of thin films discussed, a multilayer stack is enclosed in a cemented cube to form a polarizing beam splitter. Polarizing efficiencies exceeding 99.8% have been achieved in both reflected and transmitted beams at the design wavelength. In the second application, the deposition of thin films on the totally reflecting surfaces of silica phase retarding systems has resulted in a substantial improvement in achromatism of these devices. Measured phase retardations of one of the two devices described were within 0.5 degrees of 90 degrees over the visible and uv to wavelengths down to 200 nm.