Polarizing beam splitters (PBSs) are key elements of optics and optical communication systems. In this paper, cubic and plate multilayer PBSs have been designed using genetic algorithm (GA) method which is a powerful optimization tool. In this work, after an introduction to genetic algorithm, a plate PBS has been designed using this method to show the ability of GA technique to design polarizing beam splitters with predefined target. Then, a GA-designed cubic PBS has been compared with a MacNeille one on the spectral characteristics and index profile. Finally, a C-band cubic PBS has been designed with GA and the results have been compared with ones obtained from needle, flip-flop and combined GA and gradient design methods with similar design parameters. The results show that the genetic algorithm method has the ability to design the thin film polarizing beam splitters and in comparison to other techniques has reasonable results when the time is not a critical parameter in the design process.

Keywords