Design of novel polarization beam splitters based on the subwavelength polarization gratings

Polarization gratings are non-depolarizing polarization elements that alter the polarization state of the transmitted light in a periodic way, yielding a polarization-dependent diffraction field. Using the method of rigorous coupled wave analysis, vector Fourier coefficients theory and Jones matrix, we discussed the polarization and diffraction characteristics of binary subwavelength polarization gratings. As a special case we demonstrated a novel 1rarr3 and 1rarr2 polarization beam splitters, which capable of performing the required wave transformation though modulate the state of polarization of the incident field. In addition, the polarization beam splitters are insensitive to change of the incident wavelength, the incident angle and subwavelength period.