Beam splitters are special types of diffractive optical elements or DOEs that split an input laser beam to generate multiple output beams where each output beam has the same characteristics as the input beam (except for propagational angle and power). Diffractive beam splitters have brought significant advancement in quantum technology and made it easy to scale quantum systems. This is why we can find various useful applications of beam splitters in the computing and communication industries. Modern quantum technologies involve diffractive beam splitters to deceive atoms by creating gleaming spots and excite the collection of quantum dots. Diffractive beam splitters also have significant applications in directed energy weapon systems to control and distribute the laser power and track the performance of the laser weapon systems.
The Operating Principle of the Beam Splitters
Beam splitters apply the principle of diffraction to split a laser beam into several beams. To produce beams with different power ratios and specific separation angles, beam splitters usually involve transmissive and flat DOEs. There are different types of beam splitters, each with distinct applications.
For instance, binary grating diffractive beam splitters are useful for splitting a beam into two orders. At the same time, a beam splitter matrix or 2-D diffraction grating generates a 2-D assemblage of uniform-intensity spots, each with equal separations. The periodically structured surface of the optical elements helps generate a phase delay. This is why the phase profile gets diffracted to multiple orders with specific angles.
Beam Splitter Challenges
Diffractive beam splitters function the same regardless of the input beam’s size and position. Beam splitters require customization to attain minimum wavelength. It is also important to consider field corrections and narrow bandwidth while using these beam splitters in quantum optics. At larger splitting angles, the field may change, so focus optics are essential to compensate for it.
Beam Splitter Applications
In quantum optics, diffractive beam splitters have numerous useful applications. These beam splitters can generate optical tweezer arrays or an array of visual traps. These laser tweezers are useful in various quantum applications for placing cold and isolated atoms or qubits. Diffractive beam splitters also generate several dense-state qubits with equivalent figures.
When it comes to creating a selective sample of distinct qubits, a two-dimensional beam splitter matrix is useful. The planner Lightwave technology is another modern quantum application involving diffractive beam splitters representing qubits in faintly attached modes. In this application, beam splitters attach the modes of a specific waveguide to the modes of another waveguide. In directed energy weapon systems, diffractive beam splitters have crucial applications in distributing and controlling laser power. Beam splitters also monitor and boost the performance of the weapon system.