Phase Retarders

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Phase retarders are used to control the phase of reflected or transmitted light.

The graphic below shows the performance of a 180-degree phase retarder using total internal reflection to reflect 100% of the beam. It is assumed that the mirror is coated on the hypotenuse of a right prism, so that the incident medium is glass and the exit medium is air. Note: The Abeles phase convention is used.

Plot of phase retarder performance

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