Full-wave analysis of the optimum triplicator

Starting from the results obtained in the scalar domain for the diffractive optical element that; produces three equi-intense diffraction orders with the maximum efficiency, we present a full-wave electromagnetic treatment of such optimum triplicator. The performances of this element are studied in the resonance domain and in the scalar limit as far as the dependence on th e grating period, the incidence angle, and the wavelength of the impinging radiation is concerned. Furthermore, the effects of a quantization of the p hase profile to a discrete number of phase levels are studied.