Method and apparatus for splitting a beam of energy

A wedge shaped beam splitting device is described which has a first surface for splitting an incident beam energy into an externally reflected beam and an internally transmitted beam, a second surface spaced from the first surface splits the internally transmitted beam into an externally transmitted beam and into an internally reflected beam, and intersects the first surface at an angle that impinges the internally transmitted beam on the second surface at an angle of incidence that is less than the minimum angle necessary for substantially total internal reflection and impinges the internally reflected beam on the first surface at an angle of incidence that exceeds the minimum angle necessary for substantially total internal reflection. The device may also be used as a beam combiner.