Abstract

Conventional polarizing beamsplitters constitute two right angle prisms, one having a multi-layer coating on the hypotenuse face, cemented together forming a cubic optical element. This paper presents two design methodologies for embedding a rugate coating into a polarizing beamsplitter. The function of the rugate coating is to be highly transmitting for both p- and s-polarized light except for a s-polarization reflection band at a specific wavelength. For convenience absorption, the optical cement, and all external faces of the polarizing beamsplitter are excluded from consideration.

© 1995 Optical Society of America