Beamsplitters are essential components in wave and quantum optics. They are used for interferometers, for example.
The optical element used here is a vaporized glass pane that transmits about 50% of the light and reflects the other 50% and is used for non-polarizing beam splitters.
On this page you will find information on assembly, special features and possible experiments.
Assembly
Exploded View
Material:
- 1x 01A_Go_V*_cube_base 1×1
- 1x 02A_Br_V*_cube_cover 1×1
- 1x 12A_Si_V*_beamsplitter_clamp
- 1x 12A_Si_V*_beamsplitter_top
- 1x 12A_Si_V*_beamsplitter_bottom
- 1x Semi-transparent front surface mirror (40mm x 30mm)
- 2x Thread insert, M3
- 6x Allen cylinder head screw, M3x12
Tools:
- Allen key – 2,5 mm
- Soldering iron (+ tip for threaded inserts)
- (Pipe) wrench
- (Tweezers)
Assembling the beam splitter:
You will also find detailed instructions for assembly as well as a component and material list with the STL files for 3D printing and links to the relevant stores.
Special features
Nuts & threaded inserts
Nuts can also be used for the beamsplitter instead of the threaded inserts. The corresponding 3D file has hexagonal instead of round holes. The nuts can be glued with superglue, for example, but should also hold themselves due to the design.
Angle of the beam splitter
The angle of the beamsplitter can sometimes influence the shape of the interference pattern in the Michelson interferometer. For example, a slight deviation from the 45° angle (e.g. 44°) is more likely to produce a ring pattern and a 45° angle generally produces a hyperbolic pattern. However, adjusting the Mach-Zehnder interferometer at an angle of 44° is somewhat more difficult. More information on the shapes of the interference patterns will be available here in the future.
The set contains files for 45° and 44.2°.
Polarization dependence
Due to the pseudo-Brewster angle, the beam splitter exhibits a slight polarization dependence. This can be easily investigated using a light source and polarizing filters. With the BB84 protocol, this property leads to slight deviations in the measurement results in certain cases.
Experiments
- Michelson interferometer – 1 pc.
- Michelson interferometer with piezo – 1 pc.
- Mach-Zehnder interferometer – 2 pcs.
- Quantum eraser – 2 pcs.
- BB84 model experiment – 1 pc.