Optimizing the phase retardation caused by optical coatings

H. Fabricius; Tue N. Hansen

doi:10.1117/12.797186

25 September 2008 Optimizing the phase retardation caused by optical coatings

H. Fabricius, Tue N. Hansen

Proceedings Volume 7101, Advances in Optical Thin Films III; 71011I (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.797186
Event: Optical Systems Design, 2008, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Abstract

During the interaction with a coating, a phase shift is introduced on the light. In general this phase shift is different for S and P-polarized light. This means that the state of polarization may be changed during the interaction with the coating. Working with laser beams it is common to polarize the light parallel or orthogonal to the plane of incidence. In this case phase retardation does not occur. This explains why most people forget about the phase performance in their daily work. On the other hand, it is possible to utilize the phase retardation. For example it is possible to design a coating transforming a linearly polarized beam into a circularly polarized beam, and it is possible to make the phase retardation independent of the wavelength in a certain wavelength range. Equations and a design technique are presented for first and second order optimization of the phase retardation on reflection or transmission of light from optical coatings. The optimization is performed by alternating optimization on the phase characteristics and the phase targets for S and P-polarized light. Examples of the design of laser mirrors with zero retardation and quarter wave retardation are presented.

Citation Download Citation

H. Fabricius and Tue N. Hansen "Optimizing the phase retardation caused by optical coatings", Proc. SPIE 7101, Advances in Optical Thin Films III, 71011I (25 September 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.797186

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