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How do beam splitters divide light into separate paths?
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In the field of optics, a beam splitter is a device—typically a mirror, a prism, or a combination of both—designed to divide a single beam of radiation into two or more separate paths.1
The division of light is achieved through the use of a semireflecting, semitransmitting surface. When a beam of light strikes this surface, a portion of the light is reflected while the remainder is transmitted through the material. This allows the original beam to be split into distinct components, which is essential for various optical applications, such as in color television cameras where light is divided to form separate red, green, and blue images.2