Penta prism laser polarizer

A novel type of laser prism polarizer is proposed. The polarizer is characterized by a high transmission efficiency, a high optical damage threshold, and a high extinction ratio. The polarizer is shaped like a regular penta prism and, thus, it is a constant deviation angle device. Polarization effects occur upon the two internal cascade reflections in the prism. Anisotropic and Isotropic types of the polarizer are discussed. The isotropic polarizer is a prism made of a high refractive-index glass coated by multilayer polarization-type dielectric coatings. Efficient s-state polarization is obtained because of p-state leakage upon the two internal cascade reflections. The anisotropic polarizer is made of a birefringent crystal in which angular polarization splitting is obtained by the bireflectance (double-reflection) effect. Fanning of a laser beam into up to eight polarized beams is possible in a prism made of a biaxial crystal.