Design criteria for reflection polarizers and analyzers in the vacuum ultraviolet

Reflection polarizers and analyzers for the extreme UV spectral region are discussed. The conditions for optimum polarization are presented, and the polarization characteristics of a number of metal coatings, including gold and some of the platinum metals, are given. The performance of three- and four-mirror polarizers, using these metal coatings, is discussed. The properties required of a polarization analyzer are presented, and the performance of single and three- and four-reflection analyzers are discussed in terms of the optical properties of coating materials that might be useful for analyzers.