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A Rochon prism is a type of
polariser A polarizer or polariser is an optical filter that lets light waves of a specific polarization pass through while blocking light waves of other polarizations. It can filter a beam of light of undefined or mixed polarization into a beam of well ...
. It is made from two
prism Prism usually refers to: * Prism (optics), a transparent optical component with flat surfaces that refract light * Prism (geometry), a kind of polyhedron Prism may also refer to: Science and mathematics * Prism (geology), a type of sedimentary ...
s of a
birefringent Birefringence is the optics, optical property of a material having a refractive index that depends on the Polarization (waves), polarization and propagation direction of light. These optically anisotropic materials are said to be birefringent (or ...
material such as
calcite Calcite is a Carbonate minerals, carbonate mineral and the most stable Polymorphism (materials science), polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is a very common mineral, particularly as a component of limestone. Calcite defines hardness 3 on ...
, which are cemented together. The Rochon prism was invented by and is named after Abbé Alexis Marie Rochon. It is in many ways similar to the
Wollaston prism A Wollaston prism is an optical device, invented by William Hyde Wollaston, that manipulates polarized light. It separates light into two separate linearly polarized outgoing beams with orthogonal polarization. The two beams will be polarized a ...
, but one ray (the ordinary ray) passes through the prism undeviated. The Sénarmont prism is similar but transmits the s-polarized ray undeviated. In both the Rochon and the Sénarmont prisms the undeviated ray is ordinary on both sides of the interface. Rochon prisms are commercially available, but for many applications other polarisers are preferred.


See also

*
Nomarski prism A Nomarski prism is a modification of the Wollaston prism that is used in differential interference contrast microscopy. It is named after its inventor, Polish and naturalized-French physicist Georges Nomarski. Like the Wollaston prism, the Nomar ...
* Nicol prism *
Glan–Thompson prism A Glan–Thompson prism is a type of polarizing prism similar to the Nicol and Glan–Foucault prisms. Design A Glan–Thompson prism consists of two right-angled calcite prisms that are cemented together by their long faces. The optical axes ...
*
Glan–Foucault prism A Glan–Foucault prism (also called a Glan–air prism) is a type of prism which is used as a polarizer. It is similar in construction to a Glan–Thompson prism, except that two right-angled calcite prisms are spaced with an air gap instead o ...
* Sénarmont prism


References


External links


An article by CVI (optics manufacturer) about different types of polariser
Prisms (optics) Polarization (waves) {{optics-stub