A system, method and article of manufacture is disclosed that provides an
improved, more efficient, laser beam modulator and splitter. The combined
device includes a crystal with a horizontal cross-sectional shape of a
pentagon. The crystal includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a
first through fifth sides. The first side and the second side are
substantially parallel. An absorber is mounted on the third side. The
fourth and fifth sides are substantially opposite to the third side. The
fourth and fifth sides form an angle substantially equal to 180 degrees
minus the sum of a first a second Bragg angles. The crystal also includes
at least one layer. For one embodiment, each layer includes an incident
window on the first side, an active window on the second side and a
transparent axis between the incident window and the active window. A
first and a second transducer are mounted on the fourth and fifth sides.