Abstract

The Jones matrix of a tilted plate is theoretically and experimentally described, taking into account the contribution of the successive internal reflections of the incident fundamental TEM₀₀ Gaussian beam. This induces variations of up to 10% of the transmission coefficients of the Jones matrix with angle of incidence. The consequence of the influences on the walkoff and the internal interference effects of the characteristics of the plate and of the incident beam, especially its mode size and its radius of curvature, leads to important different variations of the Jones matrix. Surprisingly, however, we show that for a given Gaussian beam the Jones matrix of the plate does not depend on its position along the beam propagation axis, in spite of the variations of mode size and radius of curvature whose effects compensate mutually. The Jones matrix of such a plate used in a laser cavity containing a diffracting aperture is also investigated. In every case, good agreement is observed between theory and experiments.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

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