title: Polarization properties of thin films of diamond.
abstract: Thin films transparent to optical radiation offer polarization properties that are enhanced when the thickness of the film is an odd multiple of the quarter-wavelength. The transmission and reflection properties of a 1.16-μm-thick film of diamond realized by plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition have been studied at 10.6 μm. A compact polarizer built with four films at a Brewster angle revealed an extinction ratio of better than 1:1000 of the S polarization. The interest in optics in which parasitic-reflected or transmitted beams do not exist is pointed out. The high damage threshold of diamonds opens the possibility of controlling the polarization characteristics of high-power lasers used, for example, for soldering and cutting applications.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chardonnet
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Daussy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gicquel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anger