Polarization conserving light bending prisms and optimized fresnel rhombs.

The design of prisms utilizing total internal reflection to achieve particular phase retardation is considered. Two prisms are discussed that bend light by 90 degrees without changing its polarization. Optimum design for Fresnel rhombs is considered, and designs for quarter-wave and half-wave are presented. The effect of light beam divergence and prism dispersion is treated.