Cross-polarization effects of light beams at interfaces of isotropic media

Polarization aspects of the three-dimensional optical beam reflection and refraction at dielectric interfaces are analyzed within the framework of the aberrationless approach. The power and the transversal beam profile of the cross-polarized beam are determined in the paraxial approximation. The cross-polarization phenomenon is experimentally demonstrated. Based on the theoretical and experimental results, a simple new method using an appropriate dielectric mirror is proposed for the generation of radially polarized light beams.