Gratings: A Phenomenological Approach and Its Applications, Perfect Blazing in a Non-zero Deviation Mounting

Abstract

Abstract A rigorous phenomenological theory allows us to define the fundamental parameters of a perfectly conducting grating, at least in the case where only two diffracted orders propagate. We describe some remarkable properties of these parameters. In particular, the behaviour of the efficiency curves of sinusoidal gratings when the groove depth increases is explained from a topological point of view. We give also a new interpretation of an anomaly at a Rayleigh wavelength. Finally, we describe a new and surprising phenomenon: a perfect blazing can be obtained for polarized light in a non-zero deviation mount.