Methods and systems for efficient separation of polarized uv light

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for separating polarized UV light. In one example, a method may include passing polarized source light through a first prism, the polarized source light including desired light and undesired light, separating the desired light from the fundamental light, and passing the separated desired light through a second prism. The separated desired light which is passed through the second prism may then be further passed through a spatial filter.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A system for separating light, comprising:
 optics providing polarized source light;   a first prism positioned downstream of the optics in a path of the polarized source light;   a second prism positioned downstream of the first prism, the second prism positioned in a first refracted second-harmonic generation (SHG) light path of the polarized source light; and   a spatial filter positioned downstream of the second prism.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the second prism is coupled to the first prism. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the spatial filter is positioned in a second refracted SHG light path of the polarized source light. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a third prism positioned downstream of the second prism. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the spatial filter is positioned in a third refracted SHG light path of the polarized source light. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the spatial filter is further positioned downstream of the third prism. 
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 7 , wherein an incident angle of the source light at the first prism and the second prism is based on a maximum transmittance according to Fresnel equations. 
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 7 , further comprising a detector downstream of the spatial filter and in a second refracted SHG light path. 
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 14 , further comprising a sample positioned between the spatial filter and the detector. 
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled)