Abstract
We examine an array of optically transparent dielectric wedges that has potential applications as a shield against high-energy cw laser beams. Attenuation is achieved by the total reflection of the incident beam at the array surfaces. Assuming that wedge dimensions are large in terms of wavelength, we analyze transmission through the shield by using physical optics. Numerical results show attenuations of 30 and 45 dB at a distance equal to one incident beam radius behind the shield for material refractive indices of 1.5 and 2.5, respectively. The dominant contribution to the transmitted field appears to be leakage from the wedge corners. Corner leakage can be mitigated with the use of two identical stacked wedge arrays displaced relative to each other.
© 1991 Optical Society of America
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