US 8,009,363 B2 · Prism beamsplitters

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to single prism beamsplitters and compound beamsplitters formed from combining one or more of the single prism beamsplitters. In one embodiment, the beamsplitters can be configured to produce one or more split beams of light that can emerge at angles other than 90° to one another. The prisms of the beamsplitter embodiments are configured so that light propagating through prisms encounter one or more intermediate planar surfaces at various angles with respect to the path of the light. A certain number of the intermediate planar surfaces can be angled so that the light transmitted along a particular path undergoes total internal reflection within the prism. A number of other intermediate planar surfaces are angled so that the light transmitted along a particular path does not undergo total internal reflection.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A beamsplitter comprising:

a prism having a first planar surface, a second planar surface, and a plurality of intermediate planar surfaces, wherein the first and second planar surfaces are substantially parallel, and one or more of the intermediate planar surfaces are angled so that a beam of light to propagate through the prism does not undergo total internal reflection at the one or more intermediate planar surfaces where the beam of light is to emerge from the prism through the one or more intermediate planar surfaces;
and
one or more partial mirrors disposed on at least a portion of the one or more intermediate planar surfaces so that the beam of light to propagate through the prism is split into a refracted beam of light to emerge from the prism through the one or more partial mirrors and a reflected beam of light that to be reflected back into the prism.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Prism beamsplitters

Life of this patent

Prism beamsplitters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15