On the Optical Properties of Components for Birefringent Filters

Abstract

Expressions are derived for the stray light in a birefringent filter caused by polarizers producing incomplete polarization and by inexact half-wave plates. It is shown that, with suitable orientation of retardation plates, less stray light is obtained with incomplete than with complete polarizers. The asymmetry of the field and the stray light arising from incorrect orientation of the crystal axes are also discussed.