A metal-mirror-based reflecting polarizing beam splitter

We theoretically investigated the design of a metal-mirror-based reflecting polarizing beam splitter (RPBS). The metal mirror is a silver slab, which is embedded in the substrate of a rectangular silica transmission grating. By using a modal analysis and rigorous coupled-wave analysis, an RPBS grating is designed for operation at 1550 nm. When it is illuminated in Littrow mounting, the transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) waves will be mainly reflected in the minus-first and zeroth orders, respectively. Moreover, a wideband RPBS grating is obtained by adopting the simulated annealing algorithm. The RPBS gratings exhibit high diffraction efficiencies (similar to 95%) and high extinction ratios over a certain angle and wavelength range, especially for the minus-first-order reflection. This kind of RPBS should be useful in practical optical applications.

Deep silicon grating as high-extinction-ratio polarizing beam splitter

A deep binary silicon grating as high-extinction-ratio reflective polarizing beam splitter (PBS) at the wavelength of 1550 nm is presented. The design is based on the phenomenon of total internal reflection (TIR) by using the rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA). The extinction ratio of the rectangular PBS grating can reach 2.5×105 with the optimum grating period of 397 nm and groove depth of 1.092 μm. The effciencies of TM-polarized wave in the 0th order and TE-polarized wave in the −1st order can both reach unity at the Littrow angle. Holographic recording technology and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching could be used to fabricate the silicon PBS grating.

Geometrical-transformation approach to optical two-dimensional beam shaping: comment

I show that the research reported by Arieli et al. [Appl. Opt. 86, 9129 (1997)] has two serious mistakes: One is that an important factor is lost in the formula used in that study to determine the x-direction coordinate transformation; the other is the conclusion that the geometrical-transformation approach given by Arieli et al. can provide a smooth phase distribution. A potential research direction for obtaining a smooth phase distribution for a generic two-dimensional beam-shaping problem is stated. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.

Corrections to the paraxial approximation of an arbitrary free-propagation beam

A relatively simple transform from an arbitrary solution of the paraxial wave equation to the corresponding exact solution of the Helmholtz wave equation is derived in the condition that the evanescent waves are ignored and is used to study the corrections to the paraxial approximation of an arbitrary free-propagation beam. Specifically, the general lowest-order correction field is given in a very simple form and is proved to be exactly consistent with the perturbation method developed by Lax et nl. [Phys. Rev. A 11, 1365 (1975)]. Some special examples, such as the lowest-order correction to the paraxial approximation of a fundamental Gaussian beam whose waist plane has a parallel shin from the z = 0 plane, are presented. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.

Intensity-moments characterization of general pulsed paraxial beams with the Wigner distribution function

On the basis of the space-time Wigner distribution function (STWDF), we use the matrix formalism to study the propagation laws for the intensity moments of quasi-monochromatic and polychromatic pulsed paraxial beams. The advantages of this approach are reviewed. Also, a least-squares fitting method for interpreting the physical meaning of the effective curvature matrix is described by means of the STWDF. Then the concept is extended to the higher-order situation, and what me believe is a novel technique for characterizing the beam phase is presented. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America [S0740-3232(99)001009-1].

Technique for diagnosing x-ray laser beam quality by use of the moire signal

We present what we believe is a novel technique based on the moire effect for fully diagnosing the beam quality of an x-ray laser. Using Fresnel diffraction theory, we investigated the intensity profile of the moire pattern when a general paraxial beam illuminates a pair of Ronchi gratings in the quasi-far field. Two formulas were derived to determine the beam quality factor M-2 and the effective radius of curvature R-e from the moire pattern. On the basis of the results, the far-field divergence, the waist location, and the radius can be calculated further. Finally, we verified the approach by use of numerical simulation. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America [S0740-3232(99)01502-1].