Definition of beamsplitter

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Photonics Dictionary

beamsplitter

A beamsplitter is an optical device used to divide a beam of light into two or more separate beams, typically by reflecting a portion of the incident light while transmitting the remainder. Beamsplitters are widely used in various optical systems and applications, including microscopy, interferometry, laser systems, and telecommunications.

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Beamsplitters can be classified into different types based on their operating principles and designs:

Plate beamsplitters: Plate beamsplitters consist of a thin, flat optical component with a partially reflective coating deposited on one of its surfaces. When light enters the plate beamsplitter, a portion of the incident light is transmitted through the plate, while another portion is reflected off the coated surface. The transmitted and reflected beams emerge as separate output beams, with the proportions of transmitted and reflected light determined by the beamsplitter's coating properties.

Cube beamsplitters: Cube beamsplitters are constructed using two or more prisms or optical components cemented together at their interface. They typically consist of a partially reflective coating applied to one of the cube's faces, with the incident light splitting into transmitted and reflected beams upon entering the cube. Cube beamsplitters are advantageous for their compact size and ease of integration into optical systems.

Polarizing beamsplitters: Polarizing beamsplitters are specialized beamsplitters designed to separate polarized light components based on their polarization states. They utilize materials or coatings that selectively transmit or reflect light with specific polarization orientations, allowing them to separate light into polarized output beams.

Dichroic beamsplitters: Dichroic beamsplitters are designed to separate light based on its wavelength or color. They consist of optical components or coatings that transmit certain wavelengths of light while reflecting others. Dichroic beamsplitters are commonly used in fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy applications to separate excitation and emission wavelengths.

Beamsplitters are essential components in optical systems for tasks such as creating multiple optical paths, combining or separating light from different sources, and performing optical measurements or manipulations. They enable versatile control and manipulation of light in a wide range of scientific, industrial, and commercial applications.

See also this article in the Photonics Handbook: Beamsplitters: A Guide for Designers

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Presented by Dr. Will Williams, Smith College