Abstract

A strong spectrally dependent optical asymmetry of unequal-reflectivity mirrors interference wedge (IW) was recently reported (theory, experiment). Deriving a set of equations for laser illumination with beam diameters of 0.2-0.6 mm, we demonstrated a qualitatively different structure of the resonant reflected intensity for both directions of beam falling [1]. Reflected beam profiles were calculated on the IW surface. First, in the present report we model the interference profiles at a distance from the IW using diffraction integral and the complex amplitude distribution on the wedge surface. We confirm that far from resonance both reflected beams propagate in accordance with Snell’s law. At resonance, the main part of the beam (more than 70% at R₁~ 70-80% and R₂~96-99%) reflected from the lower-reflectivity side of the wedge propagates in direction different from the off-resonant beam direction.

© 1998 IEEE