Birefringent filter synthesis by use of a digital filter design algorithm

We present an efficient method for designing birefringent filters comprising a number of birefringent sections with equal length and arbitrary orientation between two polarizers and for producing a specified spectral response in transmission. The method uses a digital filter design algorithm (i.e., the Remez algorithm) to determine an optimal polynomial approximation to obtain a specified finite impulse response, and a layer-peeling algorithm to calculate the filter structure parameters. The design procedure is demonstrated for a 14-section bandpass filter with sidelobes below -40 dB. The influence of errors in length and orientation of the birefringent sections on the filter's spectral response is also discussed.