Beamsplitters are used to split or combine beams of light. Plates are used for most laser applications as they exhibit low absorption. Cubes are a convenient, protected form for low power applications. The performance of a beamsplitter is mainly dependent on the coating specifications. For the coating curves for each type of beamsplitter, please refer to Coatings.
| Beamsplitters | Spectrum | Properties |
Beamsplitter Plate | Broadband Wavelength | Beamsplitter plates can be used with high power lasers. When using beamsplitter plates, it is important to bear in mind that the two partial beams travel different optical paths. The optical paths depend on the incident angle and the thickness of the plates. |
| Single Wavelength | ||
Beamsplitter Cube |
Broadband Wavelength | Compared with beamsplitter plates, beamsplitter cubes have the following advantages: |
| Single Wavelength | ||
Penta Beamsplitter Cube | Broadband Wavelength | The penta beamsplitter is composed of a penta prism and a wedge. Like the beamsplitter cube, it has the following properties: |
Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube | Broadband Wavelength | The prisms can be used as polarizers, beamsplitters or beam combiners. The output beam, which is parallel to the input beam, is called the p-polarized beam while the orthogonal output beam is defined as the s-polarized beam. |
| Single Wavelength |
