Analysis and correction of far-field diffraction pattern for corner-cube reflector

Abstract

The six different polarization transformation matrices emerging from the six paths through a corner cube reflector will worsen the far-field diffraction pattern. In this study, the polarization transformation matrices can be obtained by polarization ray tracing. Then substituting the polarization transformation matrices into the diffraction integral, the central intensity can be got. Analyzing the central intensity, the approach to make the polarization transformation matrices the same is coating at the rear of the three totally reflection surfaces and making the \(\left| {\delta_{p} - \delta_{s} } \right| = \pi\) in each of the three surfaces. Thus, the far-field diffraction pattern is always ‘perfect’ Airy pattern no matter what the polarization state of the incident light. We also give the design of thin film to make \(\left| {\delta_{p} - \delta_{s} } \right| = \pi\).