Optimal beam splitters for the division-of-amplitude photopolarimeter

Optimal optical parameters of the beam splitter that is used in the division-of-amplitude photopolarimeter are determined. These are (1) 50%-50% split ratio of the all-dielectric beam splitter, (2) differential phase shifts in reflection and transmission A, and At that differ by +/-pi/2, and (3) ellipsometric parameters (psi(r), psi(t)) = (27.368degrees, 62.632degrees) or (62.632degrees, 27.368degrees). It is also shown that for any nonabsorbing beam splitter that splits incident unpolarized light equally, the relationship psi(r) + psi(t) = pi/2 is always satisfied. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.