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[[Image:Glan-foucault.png|frame|right|A Glan–Foucault prism deflects ''p''-polarized light, transmitting the ''s''-polarized component. The optical axis of the prism material is perpendicular to the plane of the diagram.]]
A '''Glan–Foucault prism''' (also called a '''Glan–air prism''') is a type of [[prism (optics)|prism]] which is used as a [[polarizer]]. It is similar in construction to a [[Glan–Thompson prism]], except that two right-angled [[calcite]] prisms are spaced with an air-gap instead of being cemented together.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bennett |first=Jean M . |editor=Bass
Compared to the Glan–Thompson prism, the Glan–Foucault has a narrower acceptance angle over which it will work, but because it uses an air-gap rather than cement, much higher [[irradiance]]s can be used without damage. The prism can thus be used with [[laser]] beams. The prism is also shorter (for a given usable aperture) than the Glan–Thompson design, and the deflection angle of the rejected beam can be made close to 90°, which is sometimes useful. Glan–Foucault prisms are not typically used as polarizing beamsplitters because while the transmitted beam is 100% polarized, the reflected beam is not.
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