Alignment Considerations Of Thin-Film Reflection Phase Retarders To Achieve Optimum Polarization (Circular) For CO[sub]2[/sub] Laser Applications

B. E. Perilloux

doi:10.1117/12.944315

29 June 1988 Alignment Considerations Of Thin-Film Reflection Phase Retarders To Achieve Optimum Polarization (Circular) For CO₂ Laser Applications

B. E. Perilloux

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 0891, Polarization Considerations for Optical Systems; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.944315
Event: 1988 Los Angeles Symposium: O-E/LASE '88, 1988, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The near-circular polarization state of a CO₂ laser beam (with λ = 10.6 μm) is investigated as the beam emerges from a two-reflection thin-film quarterwave phase retarding system, as a function of three typical alignment errors: the polarization azimuth angle φ, the incidence angle 0 of both reflectors simultaneously and a non-parallel mirror set. The ellipticity e, describing the polarization state of the laser beam, is first investigated as a function of the total phase shift and the p and s polarization reflectances through the two-reflection system, and the azimuth angle of linearly polarized incident beam. The ellipticity is then investigated for two actual systems: a quarter wave retarder (QWR)-zero phase shift reflector pair, and two eighth-wave retarders. The resultant ellipticity from each reflector pair is separately plotted as a function of the three above mentioned alignment errors and compared with actual measurements.

Citation Download Citation

B. E. Perilloux "Alignment Considerations Of Thin-Film Reflection Phase Retarders To Achieve Optimum Polarization (Circular) For CO₂ Laser Applications", Proc. SPIE 0891, Polarization Considerations for Optical Systems, (29 June 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.944315

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