Four-way beamsplitter implementation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implementation of a four-way beamsplitter, exploring various methods and approaches. Participants consider both theoretical and practical aspects of designing such a device, including existing solutions and their limitations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using three regular two-way beam splitters as a method for implementing a four-way beamsplitter.
  • Another participant provides examples from a Google search, including a four-port integrated polarizing beam splitter and a novel compact 4-channel beam splitter based on a Kösters-type prism, but notes that these may not meet the original requirements.
  • A later reply critiques the relevance of the suggested examples, indicating that one is behind a paywall and another is a chromatic filter, which does not fulfill the need for full-color images.
  • Concerns are raised about the practicality of a theory paper that discusses arbitrary inhomogeneous spatial light modulators (SLMs) for simulations, suggesting that such solutions may not be feasible for most users.
  • Participants engage in clarifying the criteria for the desired beamsplitter, with one emphasizing that their initial mention of using three two-way splitters was meant to indicate that this method is not what they are seeking.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relevance and applicability of suggested methods for implementing a four-way beamsplitter. There is no consensus on a specific solution, and the discussion reflects multiple competing perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the specificity of the criteria for the beamsplitter, the potential inaccessibility of suggested theoretical solutions, and the ambiguity surrounding the practical implementation of some proposed methods.

jeremy_rutman
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Hi, is there any clever way to implement a 4-way beamsplitter ? My current go-to is using three 'regular' (two-way) beam splitters .
 
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Hyperfine said:
Indeed there are. A Google search of "four way beam splitter" yielded:

Four-port integrated polarizing beam splitter
behind paywall and not relevant- this is a two-input two-output device
Hyperfine said:
A novel compact 4-channel beam splitter based on a Kösters-type prism
This is a chromatic filter splitting into e.g. R,G,B which is not what I'm after, I need 4 full-color images.
Hyperfine said:
Designing the Phase and Amplitude of a Scalar Optical Fields in Three Dimensions

Those are just the first three hits that might be relevant to you.
This is a theory paper , which posits use of arbitrary inhomogneous SLM's for its simulations - not something i nor anyone else is likely to be able to produce or buy. Furthermore the splitter here seems to be more or less analogous to use of three splitters .
Thanks for the googling but I can actually, and have actually, done that myself....
 
Perhaps you should have specified your criteria beyond merely asking if there is
jeremy_rutman said:
any clever way to implement a 4-way beamsplitter?
 
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I did - having mentioned that
My current go-to is using three 'regular' (two-way) beam splitters .
it should be rather clear that use of that method is not, in fact, what I'm looking for.
 

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