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Silicon Brewster plate wavelength separator for a mid-IR optical parametric source.
Applied Optics
|January 15, 2021
Summary
We developed a low-cost silicon Brewster plate polarizer for the mid-infrared range. This effective tool offers high contrast for broadband applications, overcoming limitations in available optical elements.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Limited availability of optical elements for mid-infrared (mid-IR) broadband applications.
- Need for effective polarizers and wavelength separators in the mid-IR range.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and analyze a novel polarizer based on uncoated silicon Brewster plates.
- To evaluate its performance for broadband mid-IR applications.
Main Methods:
- Detailed analysis of polarizer contrast, considering parasitic reflections.
- Investigation of wavelength dependence and angular misalignment effects.
- Discussion of two- and four-plate polarizer arrangements.
Main Results:
- Achieved contrast over 10^3 across silicon's transparency range (1.2-6.5 µm).
- Demonstrated effectiveness of the four-plate polarizer design.
- Identified potential for use as an attenuator assembly.
Conclusions:
- Uncoated silicon Brewster plate polarizers are effective, low-cost, and high-power compatible.
- The four-plate design provides sufficient contrast for broadband mid-IR Type II optical parametric sources.
- This polarizer overcomes limitations in mid-IR optical element availability.
