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Abstract

A polarization beam splitter which includes a first prism, a second prism, and a dielectric multilayer film which is sandwiched between the first and second prisms is disclosed. The dielectric multilayer film comprising: a plurality of high refractive index layers having a refractive index higher than refractive indices of the first and second prisms; a plurality of intermediate refractive index layers having a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the high refractive index layers; and a plurality of low refractive index layers having a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the intermediate refractive index layers, a reference incident angle .theta..sub.0 of light which is incident on the dielectric multilayer film through the first or second prism being within a range of the following expression: .theta..sub.1 <.theta..sub.0 <.theta..sub.2 where ##EQU1## where n.sub.H indicates the refractive index of the high refractive index layers, n.sub.M indicates the refractive index of the intermediate refractive index layers, n.sub.L indicates the refractive index of the low refractive index layers, and n.sub.0 indicates the refractive indices of the first and second prisms.

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First Claim