Polarization-selective beam splitter based on a highly efficient simple binary diffraction grating

Danaë Delbeke; Roel Baets; Peter Muys

doi:10.1364/ao.43.006157

Polarization-selective beam splitter based on a highly efficient simple binary diffraction grating

Appl Opt. 2004 Nov 20;43(33):6157-65. doi: 10.1364/ao.43.006157.

Authors

Danaë Delbeke¹, Roel Baets, Peter Muys

Affiliation

¹ Department of Information Technology, Ghent University-Interuniversity Microelectronics Center, St Pietersnieuwstraat 41, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. danae.delbeke@intec.ugent.be

PMID: 15605556
DOI: 10.1364/ao.43.006157

Abstract

A polarization beam splitter (PBS) based on a giant-reflection to zero-order (GIRO) grating is presented. The GIRO grating is a simple binary diffraction grating with parameters chosen such that the excited optical modes in the grating interfere constructively and destructively at the respective interfaces. This interference results in high-zero-order reflection (>99%) with a high polarization-selective extinction ratio (+/-30 dB). The grating shows a low aspect ratio. The GIRO PBS is theoretically and experimentally shown to be an adequate PBS for use as an optical isolator in combination with a quarter-wave plate in a CO2-laser system.