Table of Contents 1 76 76 79 80 s a on on ti cal Filters cal ti High Contrast Optical ShuttersHigh Contrast 55 es Spatial Light Modulator Principles 64 ti Modulators al Light cal Assemblies Assemblies cal ti ti NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW Engineering Services Standards Capabili Op Quality Informa Ordering Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal 58 with Liquid Crystals Control Polarization Shutters Liquid Crystal Custom Capabilities Retarders Variable Liquid Crystal 45 Optical Liquid Attenuators Crystal Variable Liquid Crystal Rotators Polarization 46 Swift Swift Liquid Crystal Principles 48 Electronics Drive Retarders Variable Swift Liquid Crystal 51 53 57 Basic Liquid Crystal Controller 56 Channel Digital Interface Four Interface Voltage Channel High Two 59 62 60 Systems Spa 70 Filters 74 Optical Op Set Tunable Tunable Generator Polarimeters 72 Principles Optical Filter Tunable Polarimeters Eigenstate 68 Spatial Light Modulators 65 Modulators Light Spatial Controller Spatial Light Modulator 66 www.meadowlark.com Member of the Colorado Photonics Photonics Member of the Colorado Inc. Association, Industry Polarizers 11 Polarizers ™ on Components on ti Rotary Mounts 43 Mounts Rotary Linear Polarizer Principles Linear Polarizer 3 ng Hardware ng ti

Moun Retarder Principles 24 28 Principles Example 30 Retarder Analysis 35 Retarders 32 Retarders Polarization with Polymers Control 38 Polarization Retarders 37 Retarders Manipulation with Retarders Polarization 40 Retarders Precision Wavelength Commercial Chart Achromatic Quartz Order Retarders Zero Compound 27 26 Achromatic Dual Selection 29 42 Precision Retarders Field Wide Sets Bi-Crystalline Retarder Polarizer/Retarder 33 Retarders

Polariza Polarizers Beamsplitting Cube Mounts 44 Mounts Cube Beamsplitting Precision Linear Polarizers 6 Polarizers Linear Precision VersaLight Linear Polarizers High Contrast Linear Polarizers Contrast Ultra-High 9 8 NEW NEW Dichroic Circular Polarizers 20 18 17 Optics Polarizers Polarizers 22 21 UV Chart Laser Line Beamsplitting PolarizersCircular Glan-Thompson Beamsplitting Polarizers Broadband Separators Selection Dichroic Beam 14 Polarizers Isolation with Circular Optical 15 Polarizer 19 NEW NEW NEW © 2008 Meadowlark Optics, Inc. Inc. Optics, Meadowlark 2008 © reserved. All rights trademarks are and Windows™ Microsoft® Corporation. Instruments of National trademarks are Instruments™ LabVIEW™ and National i Inc. VersaLight™ of Moxtek, is a trademark of Corning, Inc. MicroWires® is a trademark Polarcor™ Corporation. of Microsoft trademark of Meadowlark Optics, Inc. trademark Code: 3Z151 CAGE Table of Contents Table [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Polarizati on Components Polarizati on components provide the backbone of our business. Polarizers, Retarders and Liquid Crystal Devices are the fundamental building blocks for our line of systems and instrumentati on and also for our original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers.

In additi on to the delivered hardware components, an important part of the service Meadowlark Opti cs provides to our customers includes extensive, precise polarizati on metrology. Our metrological capability ensures that these components are delivered to you in spec the ﬁ rst ti me, every ti me.

We have broadened our oﬀ ering to include Polarizers for the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared regions of the spectrum.

Retarders (or waveplates) are another key component to Meadowlark Opti cs customers. Recent new products include Wide Field Retarders, which provide excellent ﬁ eld of view performance out to 30 degrees incidence, or more. Now, we are introducing Dual Wavelength Retarders for polarizati on control at two ﬁ xed wavelengths.

The Polarizers and Retarders described above are “passive” components, with no acti ve control possible. Our line of Liquid Crystal Devices includes compensated and uncompensated LC Variable Retarders, Att enuators and Polarizati on Rotators. With this catalog, we are now introducing Opti cal Shutt ers, as well.

Naturally, Meadowlark Opti cs oﬀ ers necessary control electronics to mate with the LC Device required in your applicati on including the oﬀ ering of an extended warranty program.

A line of Mounti ng Hardware is also available. We’ve added Beamsplitt er Mounts to our popular Rotary Mount oﬀ ering.

Additi onally, we provide the capability for the assembly and calibrati on of Opti cal Sub-assemblies giving our customers a valuable, ti me saving and quality improved product. Call for more informati on. [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 2 Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal

Controllers 3

. 2 Meadowlark Optics now offers four types of linear polarizers: types of linear polarizers: offers now Optics four Meadowlark grid wire dielectric beamsplitting, and glass), (polymer dichroic and calcite crystal. Note: Polarizers are available from less than 5mm square to are available from less than 5mm square to Polarizers Note: diameter 200 mm and greater Beamsplitting Polarizers Beamsplitting Beamsplitting polarizers divide unpolarized incident light into absorption Low polarized beams. linearly orthogonal, (usually) two resistance of damage combination an excellent coatings provide beamsplitter Rugged price. at a moderate ratio and extinction designed into many mounted and therefore easily cubes are Beamsplitting polarizers the unique offer instrument applications. one polarized output beams, linearly two of providing advantage off at “splitting” and the second through straight transmitting of the ratio the extinction When necessary, 90 degrees. precisely byreflected adding a dichroic improved beam can be dramatically Optics offers Laser both Meadowlark polarizer to the output face. to visible covering Beamsplitting Polarizers, Line and Broadband Laser Line Beamsplitting Polarizers applications. near infrared improving V-type antireflection coatings, of the advantage offer Beamsplitting Broadband efficiency losses. by limiting surface or broadband wavelength tunable versatile for more Polarizers are sources. Dichroic Polarizers – Polymer and Glass and – Polymer Polarizers Dichroic polarizers of dichroic line Optics offers an extensive Meadowlark Dichroic materials. glass and treated both polymer made from polarization absorption to the selective of the anisotropicrefers polarizersThese usually are polarizing material (Diattenuation). film polymer and dyed stretched constructed by laminating a thin, polished and antireflection-coated two between glass windows. and is value offers compact component The resulting excellent flux for often the best choice 1 watt/cm densities below Selecting the appropriate dichroic polarizingSelecting the appropriate material dichroic enables range the wavelength over performance ratio extinction excellent variations Due to small in the polarization 310 to 5000 nm. from all apertures for larger over degrade ratios extinction material, the Optics has improved Meadowlark polarizers. dichroic broadband polarizers of dichroic transmission with high-efficiency, antireflection in our product used on the glass windows coatings Laminated glass construction contributes to a substantial design. Our polarizer distortion. wavefront in transmitted improvement for allowing durability, the product improves greatly assembly cleaning. easy and repeated Optics also offers dichroic of high contrast a line Meadowlark of the regions glass polarizers and mid infrared the near for make and contrast High throughput spectrum up to 5000 nm. requirements. near infrared for these polarizers choice an excellent polarizers of dichroic superior include angular advantages Key flexibility custom shapes and sizes. for acceptance and extreme assistance. Please call one of our Sales Engineers for www.meadowlark.com on, a linear polarizer ti Regardless of input polariza Regardless

Fig. 1-1 light. only linearly polarized transmits

Ideal linear polarizers allow the transmission of only one Ideal linear polarizers one of only the transmission allow of all other polarization polarization leakage state with zero Rotating the linear polarizerabout axis the optical states. linear a perfect Thus, the output plane of polarization. changes 50% of an unpolarizedpolarizer input beam and only transmits polarizers perfect crossed axes with their transmission two in polarizers Imperfections an incident beam. extinguish totally as pinholes in (such material defects as scattering such sites, ideal polarizers’ reduce effects thin films) and field-of-view contrast. key factors must be several a linear polarizer, When choosing aperture size, range, wavelength cost, including: considered efficiency transmission threshold, damage acceptance angle, is ratio) (or contrast Extinction ratio ratio. and extinction parallel intensity through of transmitted defined as the ratio polarizers crossed through intensity to the transmitted Optics offers polarizers Meadowlark with extinction polarizers. wavelength the operating over as high as 10,000,000:1 ratios range. Linear Polarizer Principles Polarizer Linear [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers 4 Controllers Fig. 1-2 Linear Polarizer Principles polarized beams,conveniently separated by90°.

Beamspli tti ng Polarizers provide two orthogonally www.meadowlark.com contact aMeadowlark OpticsSalesEngineerfor assistance. transmissive isavailable onacustombasis. material Please are more durable whencoated. Specially selectedultraviolet infrared spectrum. canhandlerelativelyThey highpower and 200mm diameterwithhighcontrast across thevisible andnear Versalight are available inlarge polarizers sizesupto aperture wire spacing.) grid solution astheirwavelengths becomemuch greater thanthe it. (Longer wavelengths are closer totheideal approximations strongly thewavelength affected by ofthelightpassingthrough Joule heatingreduce thecontrast ofthepolarizer, which isalso field andpass100%ofthetransverse field. defects Material and Ideally, for thewires behave theparallel asaperfect reflector mobility alongthewires thaninthetransverse dimension. the “wires” oscillatefree electrons which have amuch higher orthogonal polarizations. radiation Electromagnetic incidenton different conditionsdrive behaviorfor thetwoin boundary radiation interactsunpolarized withthewire grid, differences onglasssubstrates.aluminum conductors When incident lithographic techniques are usedtoplacesub100nmpitch manually anarray arranging offineconductive wires, wires wrapped around anon-conductive frame. Insteadof usingfinemetallicthe 1888experiments Hertz Heinrich by VersaLight outgrowth are themodern of wire polarizers grid Wire GridPolarizers power handlingandultraviolet performance. However, limitsboth withcementedconstruction theversion foracceptance angleisimportant overall system performance. areGlan-Thompson Polarizers recommended where awide toseparate thetwocomponents. polarization reflection internal optical calcitematerial, thedesigntakesadvantage oftotal Glan-Thompson calcitepolarizers. Manufactured from Grade A performance, from 320to2300nm. Meadowlark Opticsoffers rare. exhibits Calcitematerial extremely broadband transmission since large are optically uniform piecesofthisnatural crystal ratio andtransmission efficiency. Aperture sizesare limited, highextinctionexcellent including properties very polarization with birefringentCalcite isanaturally crystal occurring Calcite Polarizers

•(303) 833-4333• [email protected]

Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal

Controllers 5

, edited by , e, (Harvard e, www.meadowlark.com Polarized Light in Light in Polarized (24), 5146 (1988). (24), 27 , (John Wiley and Sons, New New and Sons, Wiley (John , Polarized Light and Optical Light and Optical Polarized Handbook of Optics , edited by Robert Fischer, (SPIE edited by Robert Fischer, , , (Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., Calif., San Diego, Press, (Academic , t, (Pergamon Press, New York, 1971). York, New Press, (Pergamon t, Polarized Light: Production and Us Production Light: Polarized Optical Shop Testing Optical Shop

(7), 1517 (1997). (7), , 1115 (1964). 1115 , 36 54

., Vol. I, Chap. 42; J.M.Bennett, “Polarizers,” ibid., Vol. II, II, Vol. ibid., “Polarizers,” J.M.Bennett, 42; Chap. I, Vol. ., Optical System Design Optical System Retarders (Waveplates),” Appl. Opt. Opt. Appl. Retarders (Waveplates),” Optics and Spectroscopy 1990). Am. 1978). York, Appl. Modes with a Liquid-Crystal Spatial Light Modulator”, Opt. Measuremen 1966). Mass., Cambridge, University Press, M. Bass, (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1995), Vol. I, Chap. 5; J.A. J.A. 5; Chap. I, Vol. 1995), York, New (McGraw-Hill, Bass, M. and Coatings,” “Optical Properties of Films Dobrowolski, 14. Chap. II, Vol. ibid ibid., “Liquid Crystals,” Wu, S. 3; Chap.

in 19. Chap 2008), McGraw-Hill, press, Linear Polarizer Principles Polarizer Linear 7. P.D. Hale and G.W. Day, “Stability of Birefringent Linear Linear “Stability of Birefringent Day, Hale and G.W. P.D. 7. 8. D. Malacara, Malacara, D. 8. 5. W.A. Shurcliff, Shurcliff, W.A. 5. Correction of Zernike and Production “Wave-front Love, G. 9. 4. D.S. Kliger, J.W. Lewis and C.E. Randall, Randall, and C.E. Lewis J.W. Kliger, D.S. 4. 6. D.A. Holmes, “Exact Theory of Retardation Plates,” J.Opt. Soc. Soc. J.Opt. Theory Plates,” of Retardation “Exact Holmes, D.A. 6. 3. D. Clarke and J.F. Grainger, Grainger, and J.F. Clarke D. 3. 2. J.M. Bennett, “Polarization,” in “Polarization,” Bennett, J.M. 2. 1. T. Baur and S. McClain, “Polarization Issues in Optical Design” Optical Design” Issues in “Polarization McClain, and S. Baur T. 1. Polarizer and Retarder References: References: and Retarder Polarizer [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers 6 Controllers Fig. 1-5 Fig. 1-3 Precision LinearPolarizers specify–NIR1

Polarized Transmission (%) Polarized Transmission (%)

Polarized4 5 Transmission6 7 (%)8 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 2 4 6 385 365 345 325 0 2 4 6 8 800 780 760 740 720 700

Near infrared polarizer 1performance, Ultraviolet polarizer performance, specify–UV1 Wavelength (nm) Wavelength (nm) www.meadowlark.com 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Extinction Ratio Extinction Ratio • • • • • Key Bene Fig. 1-6 Fig. 1-4 specify–NIR2 polarizer. Ex

Polarized Transmission (%) ti 100 nc

Polarized Transmission (%) Ultraviolet, visible,nearinfrared wavelengths Low transmitted wavefront distortion Wide angularacceptance Excellent surface quality High extinction ratios 20 40 60 80 100 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 0 0 1010 5010 1900 1700 1500 1300 1100 900 700 ti on ra

Near infrared polarizer 2performance, 0 5 5 5 5 5 850 750 650 550 450 350 Visible polarizer performance, specify–VIS ﬁ ti •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts os in ﬁ gures aremeasuredagainst aGlan-Thompson Wavelength (nm) Wavelength (nm) 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000

Extinction Ratio Extinction Ratio Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal

Controllers 7 Part Part Number Number (in.) (in.) Thickness Thickness Mounted

Unmounted (in.) (in.) Clear Aperture Clear Aperture (in.) (in.) 0.500.500.50 0.400.50 0.401.00 0.401.00 0.40 0.131.00 0.13 0.801.00 DP-050-UV1 0.14 0.80 DP-050-VIS 0.14 0.80 DP-050-NIR1 0.80 0.26 DP-050-NIR2-n 0.26 DP-100-UV1 0.27 DP-100-VIS 0.27 DP-100-NIR1 DP-100-NIR2-n 1.00 0.401.001.001.00 0.25 0.401.00 0.40 DPM-050-UV1 1.00 0.401.00 0.25 0.701.00 0.25 0.70 DPM-050-VIS 2.00 0.25 0.70 DPM-050-NIR1 2.00 0.35 0.70 DPM-050-NIR2-n 2.00 0.35 1.202.00 DPM-100-UV1 0.35 1.20 DPM-100-VIS 0.35 1.20 DPM-100-NIR1 0.50 1.20 DPM-100-NIR2-n 0.50 DPM-200-UV1 0.50 DPM-200-VIS 0.50 DPM-200-NIR1 DPM-200-NIR2-n Diameter Diameter ORDERING INFORMATION ORDERING Custom AR coatings are available on all polarizers. AR coatings Custom AR coating please choose from the following NIR2 polarizers, For options: 650 – 950 nm NIR2 – 1 covers 900 – 1250 nm NIR2 – 2 covers 1200 – 1700 nm NIR2 – 3 covers Both mounted and unmounted Precision Linear Polarizers are Polarizers Linear are Precision and unmounted Both mounted Optics Precision Meadowlark products. standard as offered marked. clearly axis their transmission Linear Polarizers have www.meadowlark.com /5. , 20 ns, visible λ 2 , CW /10 flat). For visible visible For /10 flat). 2 , 20 ns, 1064 nm λ 2 /2 /5 /2 λ λ λ 0.5% 0.5% min 2 arc min 1 arc min 2 arc ±0.005 in. +0/-0.010 in. ±0.020 in. +50° C -50° C to +50° C -50° C to +40° C -50° C to 1 W/cm ~ 4.25% (uncoated) ≤ ≤ Dichroic Polymer Dichroic Fused Synthetic UV Grade Silica A, fine annealed BK 7 Grade A, fine annealed BK 7 Grade ≤ ≤ ≤ and dig 40-20 scratch ≤ ≤ ≤ 200 mJ/cm 2 J/cm

Mounted Ultraviolet Ultraviolet Ultraviolet Ultraviolet Ultraviolet SPECIFICATIONS Diameter Tolerance Diameter Unmounted Thickness Tolerance Range Temperature Storage Visible Near Infrared Operating Safe Recommended Limit Prolonged exposure to strong ultraviolet radiation may damage ultraviolet strong to Prolonged exposure these polarizers. your Meadowlark are available. Please contact coatings Custom quote. a custom Optics sales engineer for Reflectance (per surface, at normal incidence) at (per surface, Reflectance Visible Near Infrared Visible Near Infrared Substrate Material Substrate 632.8 nm) (at Distortion Wavefront Transmitted Visible Near Infrared Quality Surface Beam Deviation Visible Near Infrared

Polarizer Material Polarizer

Precision Linear Polarizers Linear Precision Linear Polarizers Precision manufactures Optics Meadowlark polarizer sheet high materialusing dichroic between laminated (BK 7 material, substrates quality glass wavelength polarizers, this construction produces a total construction this a total produces polarizers, wavelength distortion of less than wavefront transmitted [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] We use various polarizer materials to cover wavelengths use various polarizer wavelengths materials to cover We and near infrared Both visible 2000 nm. 320 and between broadband polarizers supplied with a high-efficiency, are optional AR coatings are single-layer antireflection coating; (AR) polarizers. on our ultraviolet Liquid Crystal Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers 8 Controllers Fig. 1-7 High Contrast LinearPolarizers measured aGlan-Thompson polarizer Polarizer centered at 800nm.Ex

Typical transmission for aHighContrast Linear ti nc ti on ra www.meadowlark.com ti o is application. Meadowlark OpticsSalesEngineertodiscussyour specifi and sizesfrom 10to25mmare available. Pleasecontacta ranges from 630to1580nmwith6080bandpasses ratios are available ashigh10,000:1. Customwavelength inlarge apertures.performance ofcalcitepolarizers Contrast Meadowlark OpticsHighContrast offer the LinearPolarizers performance andsurface quality. high qualityglasssubstrates toachieve wavefront superior laminatingPolarcor™by between dichroic glasspolarizers Contrast LinearPolarizers. are constructed These polarizers infrared region, Meadowlark alineofHigh Opticsnow offers In response totheneedfor improved contrast inthenear • • • Key Bene Re Beam Devia Surface Quality (at 632.8nm) Recommended Safe Opera Temperature Range Transmi Substrate Material Polarizer Material sales engineerfor assistance. Custom sizes areavailable.Please contact yourMeadowlarkOp Prolonged exposure to strong ultraviolet radia these polarizers. SPECIFICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION Diameter fl .0 .0 .5seiy PPM-050 specify 0.25 0.40 1.00 .0 .0 .5seiy PPM-100 specify 0.35 0.70 1.00 (in.) ectance (persurface) Absorp High Transmission High Contrast tt ed Wavefront Distor ti ti fi Clear Aperture Clear Aperture on ve Dichroic Glass •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts (in.) ti Thickness ng Limit (in.) ti on 2 J/cm ≤ 40-20 scratch and dig ≤ 1 W/cm -50° Cto +70°C ≤ 200 mJ/cm BK 7Grade A, Dichroic Glass Wavelength 3arc min 0.5%at normalincidence λ /4 Range 2 , 20ns,1064nm ti 2 on maydamage , CW 2 , 20ns,visible fi ne annealed Number Part ti cs λ λ

c Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal

Controllers 9 Part Part Number Number UHP - 100 - IR UHP - 100 - LNIR UPM - 050 -LNIR UPM - 100 -LNIR C ° (in.) (in.) 0.5% ≤ 0.5% ≤ 0.5% 0.5% Thickness Thickness ≤ ≤ 1.0% ≤

Mounted and Laminated Mounted (in.) (in.) Unmounted and Laminated Unmounted Clear Aperture Clear Aperture ts Glass Dichroic ve ﬁ ti (in.) (in.) 1.00 1.001.00 0.401.00 0.401.00 0.401.00 0.25 0.401.00 0.25 0.701.00 UPM - 050 - UV 0.25 0.70 UPM - 050 - VIS 0.25 0.70 UPM - 050 - IR 0.70 0.350.50 0.350.50 UPM - 100 - UV 0.350.50 UPM - 100 - VIS 0.35 0.400.50 UPM - 100 - IR 0.401.00 0.401.00 0.40 0.071.00 0.07 0.801.00 UHP - 050 - UV 0.07 0.80 UHP - 050 - VIS 0.07 0.80 UHP - 050 - IR 0.80 0.07 UHP - 050 - LNIR 0.07 UHP - 100 - UV 0.07 UHP - 100 - VIS 0.07 Extremely high contrast greater than 10,000,000:1 greater high contrast Extremely 400 to part usable Unlaminated nm 5000 340 to ranges Wavelength Absorp Diameter Diameter ORDERING INFORMATION ORDERING Custom anti-reflection coating options are available. Please call coating anti-reflection Custom assistance. for your Meadowlark Optics Sales Engineer example: For 340-410nm with R UV covers 450-750 nm with R IR-AR1 covers IR-AR2 covers 550-850 nm with R IR-AR2 covers IR-AR3 covers 600-1200 nm with R IR-AR3 covers IR-AR4 covers 1200-1750 nm with R IR-AR4 covers Key Bene Key • • • • then polarizers, high contrast extremely need If you Our UHP- you. has the solution for Optics now Meadowlark UV series polarizers 360 in the UV from high contrast offer UHP-LNIR seriesto 400 nm and our polarizers high offer 650 to from range broad the exceptionally over contrast 5000 nm. www.meadowlark.com per 10mm diameter λ 1 5 arc min 5 arc 4.25% at normal incidence 4.25% at Dichroic Glass Dichroic glass Borofloat glass float D263T display glass float D263T display Design dependent ≤ ~ ±0.005 in. +0/-0.010 in. 40-20 scratch and dig 40-20 scratch ≤ -50° C to +400° C -50° C to on ti

(per surface) ectance ﬂ Laminated +50° C -20° C to Mounted Ultraviolet Specifications above are for laminated Ultra-high contrast polar- Ultra-high contrast laminated above are for Specifications your Meadowlark please contact parts, unlaminated For izers. Optics Sales Engineer. survive parts can * unlaminated SPECIFICATIONS Polarizer Material Polarizer Substrate Material Substrate Visible Infrared Long near-infared Wavefront Transmitted 632.8nm) (at Distortion Temperature Range * Range Temperature Diameter Tolerance Diameter Unmounted Surface Quality Surface Beam Devia

Re Ultra-High Contrast Linear Polarizers Linear Contrast Ultra-High [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal

10 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Ultra-High Contrast LinearPolarizers Fig. 1-10 Fig. 1-8

Ultra-High Contrast UVPolarizer Ultra-High Contrast IRPolarizer www.meadowlark.com Fig. 1-9 Fig. 1-11

Ultra-High Contrast VISPolarizer Ultra-High Contrast LNIRPolarizer •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 11

Contrast Ratio Contrast Contrast Ratio Contrast 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 MicroWire construction it to allows MicroWire Wavelength (nm) Wavelength (nm) Light’s Light’s ts ﬁ ve polarizer ve lects one polarization state and transmits another, lects one polarization another, and transmits state Typical UV VersaLight Polarizer performance Polarizer UV VersaLight Typical ti Typical IR VersaLight Polarizer performance Polarizer IR VersaLight Typical

ec 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 ﬂ 250 275 300 325 350 375 400 425 450 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60

100

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Percent Transmission Percent Broadband use Broadband Re angle acceptance Large Transmission Percent Fig. 1-13 Key Bene Key • • • aluminum MicroWires of is constructed of a thin layer VersaLight™ Fig. 1-15

on a glass substrate and sets a new standard for applications applications for standard and sets a new on a glass substrate the from field of view and a wide contrast requiring durability, high the including wavelengths, infrared through visible telecom region. sheet offers quality of dichroic the performance VersaLight to 200° C. temperature polarizers the operating while extending Versa of The nature perform as an exceptional polarizing beam splitter. In operation, In operation, polarizing beam splitter. as an exceptional perform ref VersaLight offers band the broadest VersaLight both with high contrast. material available. currently of any and highest field of view very to achieve as needed and stacked can be shaped VersaLight Polarizers are VersaLight aperture Large ratios. high contrast up to 8" rounds. on a custom basis, available Contrast Ratio Contrast 10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 www.meadowlark.com Transmitted on and use ti Polarizers Wavelength (nm) ™

Typical NIR VersaLight Polarizer performance Polarizer NIR VersaLight Typical VersaLight Polarizer construc Polarizer VersaLight

450 550 650 750 850 950

95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60

100 Percent Transmission Percent

Fig. 1-12 VersaLight Fig. 1-14 [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal

12 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers VersaLight Laser Damage Threshold Maximum Temperature Wavelength Range Square Round Outside Dimensions Beam Devia Surface Quality IR VersaLight isoptimized for 1000-2000nm NIR VersaLight isoptimized for 450-1000nm UV VersaLight isoptimized for 300-450nm fragile andcannot betouched. On ultraviolet VersaLight, thewiregridsurface willbeunprotected, Ultraviolet Transmitted Wavefront Distortion (at 632.8nm) Thickness Typical contrast inreflection Substrate Material SPECIFICATIONS Infrared Near Infrared Infrared Near Infrared Ultraviolet Infrared Near Infrared Ultraviolet ti on ™ Polarizers 50 KW/cm 200° Cfor singlelayer 400 nmto >2000nm 1 to 140mm 1 to 200mm ~ ~ ~ ≤ 80-50 scratch anddig > 30:1 0.7 mm 0.7 mm 1.1 mm Precision float glass Precision float glass UV grade fusedsilica 5 5 1arc min λ /4 perinch λ λ perinch perinch 2 , CW, 1540nm www.meadowlark.com sales engineerfor assistance. Custom sizes areavailable.Pleasecontact yourMeadowlark Optics Call for informa ORDERING INFORMATION . n imtrU VLR-200-UV UV VLR-100-UV UV 2.0 in.diameter 1.0 in.diameter . n imtrU VLR-050-UV UV 0.5 in.diameter . . n U VLS-050-UV UV 0.5 xin. ieso ARCoa Dimension 2.0 xin. 1.0 xin. •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] I VLR-050-IR IR I VLS-050-IR IR ti on even highercontrast, doubledassemblies. Standard Square Round

VersaLight I VLR-200-NIR NIR VLR-100-NIR NIR I VLS-200-NIR NIR VLS-100-NIR NIR NIR VLR-050-NIR NIR VLS-050-NIR VVLS-200-UV UV VLS-100-UV UV RVLR-200-IR IR VLR-100-IR IR RVLS-200-IR IR VLS-100-IR IR ti n Part Number ng Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 13 polarization s orthogonally two provide ng polarizers tti ts ﬁ Beamspli

High Contrast Low reflectance threshold High damage distortion wavefront Low transmitted polarized while light is transmitted Fig. 1-17 Key Bene Key • • • • Optics right in pairs angle prismsMeadowlark matched to are quality laser line beamsplitting polarizers high produce with and reflection. quality in both transmission superior wavefront prism of one face is coated with a multilayer The hypotenuse performance. laser dielectric optimized for beamsplitting coating the critical protecting prisms cemented together, are Two factors. environmental performance-degrading coating from an unpolarized cube separates beam into two incident Each polarizedcomponents with negligible linearly orthogonal, the principle of pile-of-plates polarizers, Following absorption. p by 90° separated beams, conveniently polarized is reflected. is reflected. www.meadowlark.com ng Polarizer ng tti Typical performance of a Laser Line performance Typical

Beamspli

Fig. 1-16 Laser Line Beamsplitting Polarizers Beamsplitting Line Laser [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal

14 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Fig. 1-18 Laser LineBeamsplitting Polarizers polarized beams,conveniently separated by90 Limit Recommended Safe Operating Temperature Range Dimensional Tolerance Standard Wavelengths: Acceptance Angle Reflected Transmitted Beam Deviation Surface Quality Reflectance (persurface) Clear Aperture s-polarized light p-polarized light Efficiency Reflected Transmitted Contrast Ratio (at 632.8nm) Transmitted Wavefront Distortion Material SPECIFICATIONS Beamspli tti ng polarizers provide two orthogonally 300 mJ/cm 200 mJ/cm 500 W/cm -40° Cto +100° C ± 0.020in. 1064 and1550nm 532, 632.8,670,780,850, ± 2° ≤ ≤ 40-20 scratch and dig ≤ Central 80%diameter ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≤ BK 7Grade fineannealed A, 6arc min 3arc min 0.25%at normalincidence 99%reflected 95%transmitted 20:1 500:1 λ /5 for p-polarized beam 2 2 2 , CW , 10ns,1064nm , 10ns,visible www.meadowlark.com ° Call usfor pricingonnonstandard wavelengthsorsizes. Custom sizes andwavelengths,over400-1600nmareavailable. Please substitute yourwavelengthinnanometers for ORDERING INFORMATION incident andreflected laserbeams. direction liesprecisely intheplanedefined bythe polarizer. Thetransmitted linearpolarization precise determination, usealaserlinebeamsplitting and unmounted polarizers we sell.For amore The polarization direction ismarked onallmounted SOLUTION polarizer?” “How can Ifindpreciselythepolarization axisofa PROBLEM A =BC(in.) Dimensions •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] .0BP-100 BP-050 1.00 0.50 Number Part λ . λ λ Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 15 . For ° ng Polarizer ng ng Polarizer ng tti tti ts ﬁ of IR3 Broadband Design Performance of IR1 Broadband Design Performance High contrast Low reflectance range spectral Broad threshold High damage Key Bene Key • • • • Fig. 1-22 Fig. 1-20 For applications involving broadband or tunable wavelength For wavelength or tunable broadband applications involving a full line of Broadband Optics presents Meadowlark sources, to near infrared Beamsplitting Polarizers the visible covering of a range utility for increased These cubes offer region. polarization needs. usable two Beamsplitting Polarizers, As with the Laser Line by 90 separated conveniently polarization result, forms Beamspli Beamspli unpolarized input, incident light will be equally split, 50% 50% split, incident light will be equally unpolarized input, the input polarization axis Varying and reflected. transmitted the split ratio. will change www.meadowlark.com ng Polarizer ng ng Polarizer ng tti tti of IR1 Broadband Design Performance of Visible Broadband Design Performance

Beamspli Beamspli Fig. 1-21

Fig. 1-19 Broadband Beamsplitting Polarizers Beamsplitting Broadband [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal

16 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers minimize losses. All four entrance andexit coatedto faces are antireflection optimum performance. collimated inputandaccurate angularalignmentfor ranges. However, thesebroadband designsrequire well- aidsinproviding such broad usablepolarizers wavelength described. Ourchoice ofhigh-index glassfor these previouslythe LaserLineBeamsplittingPolarizers lineissimilarto ofthispolarizer The basicconstruction Broadband Beamsplitting Polarizers Recommended Safe Operating Limit Temperature Range Dimensional Tolerance NearIR3 NearIR2 NearIR1 Wavelength Ranges Acceptance Angle Reflected Beam Deviation Surface Quality Reflectance (persurface) Clear Aperture s-polarized light Efficiency (average over wavelength range) Reflected Contrast Ratio (at 632.8nm) Transmitted Wavefront Distortion Material SPECIFICATIONS p-polarized light Transmitted Visible Transmitted 300 mJ/cm 200 mJ/cm 500 W/cm -40° Cto +100°C ± 0.020in. 1150-1600 nm 820-1250 nm 620-900 nm 440-680 nm ± 2° ≤ ≤ 40-20 scratch and dig incidence ≤ Central 80%diameter ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≤ SF 2 6arc min 3arc min 0.5%average at normal 98%reflected 95%transmitted 20:1 500:1 λ /5 for p-polarized beam 2 2 2 , CW , 10ns,1064nm , 10ns,visible www.meadowlark.com Custom sizes are available.Pleasecontact ourSalesDepartment. ORDERING INFORMATION A =BC(in.) Dimensions •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] .0BB-100IR3 BB-050IR3 BB-100IR2 BB-050IR2 BB-100IR1 1.00 BB-050IR1 0.50 BB-100VIS 1.00 BB-050VIS 0.50 1.00 0.50 1.00 0.50 Near IR3(1150-1600nm) Near IR2(820-1250nm) Near IR1(620-900nm) Visible (440-680nm) Number Part Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 17

that work over over that work for use in the use in the for (see page 38). These are are These 38). (see page Fresnel Rhombs Fresnel Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Ultra-High Contrast UV Polarizer has excellent has excellent UV Polarizer Contrast Ultra-High

Uncoated, air-spaced Glan-Laser Calcite Polarizers Polarizers Glan-Laser Calcite air-spaced Uncoated,

Fig. 1-23 410 nm 350 to over contrast For your achromatic retarder requirements, we recommend the recommend we requirements, retarder achromatic your For Retarder Achromatic Bi-Crystalline Fig. 1-24 2300 nm 250 to be used from can manufactured out of crystalline manufactured quartzand magnesium fluoride. 400 nm. to around version works ultraviolet The standard are region ultraviolet deeper into the that work Custom designs also manufacture We available.

ultraviolet region. Please visit our website, www.meadowlark. Please visit our website, region. ultraviolet the Optics sales engineer for Meadowlark com or contact your polarization on this or any and assistance latest information region. in the ultraviolet have may you requirements broad wavelength ranges, down to 250 nm. Based upon the the Based upon to 250 nm. down ranges, wavelength broad reflection each adds one Internal Reflection, Total principles of come in quarter Rhombs Fresnel of retardance. eighth wave Optics Meadowlark Please contact your versions. and half wave custom quote. assistance or a sales engineer for investigating are we the customer, to you, in response Finally, the manufacturing of (see (see (see Precision Precision www.meadowlark.com VersaLight Compound Zero Order Order Compound Zero (see page 18) also work 18) also work (see page for various wavelengths in the in the various wavelengths for Ultra High Contrast Polarizer High Contrast Ultra Laser Line Beamsplitting Polarizers. Polarizers. Laser Line Beamsplitting is another ultraviolet polarizer option polarizer is another ultraviolet option

c to our standard product offering (see page 29). 29). offering product (see page to our standard (see page 6) is our most economical offering (see page

ti ts ﬁ

pp Glan - Thompson Polarizers

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Wide range of UV Polarizers/Retarders Wide range quality Meadowlark Options Available Custom and Standard

VVVVVV

NEW Multiple Order Quartz Retarders Multiple Order Meadowlark Optics recently added Optics recently Meadowlark Retarders Alpha - Barium Borate Manufactured out of UV Grade Fused Silica, these polarizers are Fused Silica, Grade out of UV Manufactured Finally, region. in the ultraviolet common wavlengths made for Currently, Meadowlark Optics has several standard and custom standard Optics has several Meadowlark Currently, Our region. polarizers in the ultraviolet that work Polarizers

Meadowlark Optics is pleased to offer several polarizer and polarizer and several Optics is pleased to offer Meadowlark of the light region in the ultraviolet options that work retarder our offerings, some of are Collected on this page spectrum. ultraviolet any require If you and custom. both standard Optics Meadowlark your please contact polarization optics, assistance sales engineer for UV Optics UV UUUUUU

• • • Key Bene Key

and works well for low power applications with wavelengths applications with wavelengths power low for well and works Our 325 - 400 nm. between These are made out of two multiple order quartz multiple order retarders with made out of two These are other. being perpendicular to each their optic axis directions Quartz retarders available. are wavelengths Specific ultraviolet consistent applications that require for excellent are also manufacture We thermal variations. over performance that Meadowlark Opitcs is currently pursuing. Please contact pursuing. Opitcs is currently that Meadowlark assistance. Optics sales engineer for Meadowlark your ultraviolet region. By using precision polishing techniques, we we polishing techniques, By using precision region. ultraviolet and transmitted surface transmission, excellent can provide quality. wavefront down to 320 nm and give excellent contrast ratios over a broad a broad over ratios contrast excellent to 320 nm and give down optical transmitting By using ultraviolet range. wavelength deeper into the ultraviolet Optics can go Meadowlark cement, all type of calcite Optics can manufacture Meadowlark region. Meadowlark Also, region. polarizers in the ultraviolet to work custom Optics can produce Quartz Retarders [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Linear Polarizer

lower contraast ratio is also available. Ultraviolet Ultraviolet is also available. ratio contraast lower 410 nm. A custom option with higher transmission and slightly and slightly A custom option with higher transmission 410 nm. 10,000,000:1 and is optimized for wavelengths between 350 - between wavelengths 10,000,000:1 and is optimized for page 9) allows the user to obtain contrast ratios in excess of of in excess ratios contrast the user to obtain 9) allows page Uncoated over the Ultraviolet region or a V-coat for a specific wavelength. a specific wavelength. V-coat for or a region the Ultraviolet over either broadband antireflection coating opposite the wire grid, antireflectioneither broadband grid, the wire coating opposite comes standard with no coatings, Meadowlark Optics can apply Optics can apply Meadowlark with no coatings, comes standard angle and comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes. While it of shapes and sizes. angle and comes in a wide range reflective and transmissive polarizer. It has a wide acceptance reflective polarizer. transmissive and page 11) works below 300 nm, and can be used as both a and can be used as both a 300 nm, below works 11) page Liquid Crystal

18 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Fig. 1-24 Glan-Thompson Polarizers ORDERING INFORMATION Aperture (mm) Clear 010 50MgF MgF MgF 1000–1500 GTP–M10 650–1000 None 400–700 10 320–2300 10 10 10 0 0 MgF 400–700 5 00–10 MgF MgF MgF 1000–1500 GTP–M08 650–1000 None 400–700 8 MgF 320–2300 8 MgF 8 1000–1500 8 650–1000 5 5 320–2300 5

Glan-Thompson Polarizer construc Wavelength Range (nm) Coa

oeGTP–M05 None AR ti ng 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 ti GTP –M101250 GTP –M100825 GTP –M100550 GTP –M081250 GTP –M080825 GTP –M080550 GTP –M051250 GTP –M050825 GTP –M050550 on Number Part www.meadowlark.com also available. infrared range. are UncoatedGlan-ThompsonPolarizers coatingoptions cover thevisible tonear Three antireflection forThompson Polarizers useover 320-2300nm. ultraviolet transmission. For thisreason, we recommend Glan- transmits downmaterial to215nm, thecementinterface limits housing forcylindrical easymounting. Although raw calcite areOur Glan-ThompsonPolarizers suppliedinablack anodized range. excellent extinction ratio performance andabroad spectral applications. Key advantages include ofGlan-ThompsonPolarizers andlow powerprecision opticalinstrumentation laser Meadowlark Glan-ThompsonPolarizers, Opticsoffers intendedfor isproduced. linearpolarizer efficient anglesinourcalcitepolarizers, prism controlling internal avery birefringent is anaturally crystal. occurring BypreciselyCalcite • • Key Bene Recommended Safe Operating Limit Wavelength Range Acceptance Angle Beam Deviation Singlelayer MgF Uncoated Reflectance (persurface, at normalincidence) Extinction Ratio Material SPECIFICATIONS Excellent extinction ratio Broad spectr ﬁ •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts 2 a l range 25-30 W/cm 320-2300 nm ± 5° ± 3arc min ~ 1.5% ~ 4.5% clear aperture 10,000:1 over central 2/3of Grade AOptical Calcite 2 CW Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 19 ization or polarization ization or polarization Polarized Light in Optics and Light in Optics and Polarized ts , page 5. page , ﬁ Reduce back reflection Reduce Beam separation one component in and retarder polarizer Combines • Retarder Polarizer/Zero-Order Dichroic • Retarder Beamsplitting Polarizer/Zero-Order Custom sizes are available. Please contact our Sales Department. are available. Please contact sizes Custom Both designs take advantage of the handedness change of a of a change of the handedness Both designs take advantage by changing Again, polarized beam upon reflection. circularly back polarized beam, the handedness of the circularly reflections by the polarizer. blocked are used to evaluate is commonly of this blocking The degree it can be “isolation”, Termed polarizercircular performance. of a specification ratio to the extinction similar considered linear polarizer. of an incident beam which the percentage Isolation represents polarizer. the circular on its second pass through is blocked High isolation implies less light will be returned source. to the detailed description of circularly A more of the characteristics polarized in light is provided Spectroscopy Key Bene Key • • • Circular polarized either left-circular Polarizers light or transmit an input beam of any right-circular polarized light for polarization state. its propagation polarized light is reflected, When circularly polarization left-circular to right- changing reverses, direction the same polarizer Therefore polarizationcircular and vice-versa. polarization circular beam will of the incident that produces the return beam. block polarizers using the circular of optical isolation Achievement the reflection that describedrequires in this catalog be specular depolarand that no significant the intervening medium between modification occur in any reflector isolator. and optical use for each polarizers circular offer basic designs, in two We in air: www.meadowlark.com on ti polarizer on using a circular ti cal isola cal ti Dichroic Circular Polarizer construc Polarizer Circular Dichroic Op

Fig. 1-25

Fig. 1-26 Optical Isolation with Circular Polarizers Circular with Isolation Optical [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal

20 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Dichroic Circular Polarizers these polarizers. Prolonged exposure to strong ultraviolet radiationmaydamage NearInfrared Visible Transmitted Wavefront Distortion (at 632.8nm) Isolation Standard Wavelengths Substrate Material Retarder Material Polarizer Material Recommended Safe Operating Limit Temperature Range Unmounted Mounted Diameter Tolerance Reflectance (persurface) NearInfrared Visible Beam Deviation Surface Quality SPECIFICATIONS ≤ >99.8% 1064 and1550nm 532, 632.8,670,780,850, BK 7Grade fineannealed A, Birefringent Polymer Dichroic Polymer ≤ 1 W/cm -20° Cto +50° C +0/-0.010 in. ±0.005 in. ≤ ≤ ≤ 40-20 scratch and dig

0.5%at normalincidence 2arc min 1arc min λ λ /5 /2 2 , CW www.meadowlark.com available onacustombasis. Pleasecallfor applicationassistance. for Our standard Dichroic Circular are Polarizers designed direction parallel tothemarks onthehousing. toalignalinearly inputbeampolarization polarizer polarized propagation. For maximumtransmission, rotate thecircular position theindicatormarking inthedirection ofbeam ofyourproper orientation Dichroic Circular Polarizer. Besure to Achievement effect requires ofthedesired polarization lossesare minimized.ensure surface reflection transmitted wavefront distortion. Anti between highqualityopticalflats, providing lessthan Once aligned, andretarder are laminated bothpolarizer materials tothefinalperformance.tolerances alsocontribute assembly ofourDichroic Circular Polarizers. Tight retardance True zero-order (page retarders 30-31) performance. direction ensuresthe linearpolarization optimum wave retarder. Accurately aligningtheretarder fast axisat45°to zero-orderdichroic andtrue quarter- linearpolarizer OpticsDichroic Circular consistofaMeadowlark Polarizers • • • Key Bene single wavelength applications. Achr hand circularoutput. hand circularoutput.Appenda“-RH”to yourpartnumberfor right- left-hand circularoutput.Pleasecall to request aquote for right- Meadowlark Opticsstandard DichroicCircularPolarizers provide ORDERING INFORMATION Diameter Diameter Low transmitted wavefront distortion Large diameters available High isolation .012 .0CPM-200 CPM-100 CPM-050 0.50 0.35 0.25 1.20 0.70 0.40 2.00 1.00 1.00 .008 .6CP-100 CP-050 0.26 0.13 0.80 0.40 1.00 0.50 (in.) (in.) ﬁ •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts Clear Aperture Clear Aperture (in.) (in.) Unmounted Mounted Thickness Thickness (in.) (in.) reflection coated windows coatedwindows reflection omatic versions are also arealso omatic versions

are usedinthe Number Number Part Part λ λ λ λ λ λ /5 Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 21 λ λ Part . Number λ , 10 ns, visible , 10 ns, 1064 nm , CW 2 2 2 /5 λ 0.5% at normal incidence 0.5% at min 3 arc

Central 80% diameter Central ≤ and dig 40-20 scratch ≤ ± 2° 532, 632.8, 670, 780, 850, 1064 and 1550 nm ±0.020 in. +50° C -20° C to 500 W/cm BK 7 Grade A, fine annealed BK 7 Grade ≤ 300 mJ/cm 200 mJ/cm (in.) Clear Aperture ts ﬁ /350 waves. Aligning the fast axis to within 1° ensures ensures axis to within 1° Aligning the fast /350 waves. λ (in.) 0.501.00 0.40 0.80 BS - 050 - BS - 100 - High isolation available diameters Large distortion wavefront Low transmitted Cube Dimensions ORDERING INFORMATION INFORMATION ORDERING SPECIFICATIONS Clear Aperture (per surface) Reflectance Quality Surface Beam Deviation Angle Acceptance Wavelengths Standard Dimensional Tolerance Range Temperature Operating Safe Recommended Limit for your wavelength in nanometers Please substitute wavelengths over 400-1600 are available. Custom sizes Custom a obtain to Department our Sales nm are available. Please contact quote. custom Material Distortion Wavefront Transmitted 632.8 nm) (at Meadowlark Optics Beam Separators are specially designed for designed for Optics Beam Separators specially are Meadowlark consists of a true zero-order Assembly laser line applications. 30-31) oriented at axis (page with its fast retarder quarter-wave Beamsplitting axis of a Laser Line 45° to the transmission beam is circularly The transmitted 13-14). (page Polarizer of the input beam polarization state. regardless polarized, Retarders one quarter-wave Our true Precision are zero-order within ± Key Bene Key • • • greater than 99.8% source isolation from specular back specular back isolation from than 99.8% source greater reflections. www.meadowlark.com on ti

Beam Separator func Beam Separator

Fig. 1-27 Beam Separators Beam [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal

22 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Polarizer SelectionChart lnTopo 8•excellent ex 18 Glan-Thompson oaie yePg rdc etrs5001000 1500 2000 broad spectral performance • 9 highcontrast • 8 Product Features Ultra-High Contrast custom shapesandlarge apertures available • 6 Page High Contrast Precision Dichroic Polarizer Type ae ie1 highcontrast • 13 Laser Line esLgt1 broad spectral performance • 11 VersaLight Beamspli Linear ihocCrua 0• highisola • 20 Dichroic Circular Circular rabn 5•high contrast 15 Broadband emSprtr2 highisola • 21 Beam Separator standard products tti ng custom op excellent ultraviolet product op • highest available contrast ra • high temperature resistance • • wavelength-speci • high transmission limited power handlingcapability • most economical linearpolarizer choice • ultraviolet, visible,nearinfrared versions • • mul broad spectral performance • • low re upto 170mmapertures available • visibleandnearinfrared versions • highpower handlingcapability • • specularly re • achroma large diameters available • broad spectral performance • highdamage threshold • highdamage threshold • robust opto-mechanical design • excellent wavefront quality • performance ti ons ti layer BBAR coa fl ectance www.meadowlark.com ti ti ti c versions for broadband on on ti nc fl ec ti on ra ti ve opera fi c design ti ngs alsoavailable ti o ti on ti o ti on •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] Wavelength Range Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 23 1.20 in. 1.20 in. (diameter) Clear Aperture 0.40, 0.70, 0.80, 0.40, 0.70, 0.80, ± 2° ± 5° 5, 8, 10 mm ± 45° 0.80 in. 0.40, ± 10° Angle Acceptance on ti Polarizer and Retarder sets available, see page 42. see page available, sets and Retarder Polarizer /2 /2 /5 /5 /2 λ λ λ λ λ /5 ± 2° 0.40, 0.80 in. /5 ± 2° 0.40, 0.80 in. /5 ± 2° 0.40, 0.80 in. /4 ± 5° 0.40, 0.70 in. λ per inch per inch λ λ λ λ λ λ /4 per inch UV: UV: VIS: VIS: λ NIR: NIR: IR: 5 NIR: 5 UV: UV: ed Wavefront Distor ed Wavefront tt per 10mm diameter ± 5° 0.80 in. 0.40, 0.70, λ (maximum at 632.8 mn) 632.8 at (maximum www.meadowlark.com Transmi on ti 5 arc min5 arc 1 3 arc min 3 arc 1 arc min 1 arc (maximum) UV: 2 arc min 2 arc UV: VIS: 1 arc min VIS: 1 arc VIS: 1 arc min VIS: 1 arc Ref: 6 arc min 6 arc Ref: Ref: 6 arc min 6 arc Ref: NIR: 2 arc min NIR: 2 arc NIR: 2 arc min NIR: 2 arc Trans:3 arc min arc Trans:3 Trans:3 arc min arc Trans:3 Beam Devia ng ~4% tti

ectance 0.25% 0.50% min 3 arc 0.50% min 3 arc 0.50% 0.50% 1.50% ﬂ VIS: 0.50% (uncoated) NIR: 0.50% UV: ~4.25% UV: Re

~1.50% (coated) ~4.50% (uncoated) (maximum per surface) (maximum Circular Beamspli

Linear Polarizer Selection Chart Selection Polarizer [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 24 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers index refractive indices–theextraordinary index from birefringent, havingtwo different uniaxialmaterials All standard catalogMeadowlark are Opticsretarders made form. change inthelightbeam, simply they change itspolarization donotpolarize,retarders induceanintensity nordothey wave isgenerally form. ofadifferent polarization Ideally, and produces aphaseshiftbetween them. The resulting light light wave intotwocomponents orthogonallinearpolarization A retarder (orwaveplate) isanopticaldevicethatresolves a for acustomquote. are alsoavailable uponrequest. fluoride magnesium Pleasecall commonly usedquartz. such materials as Othercrystalline aswellinnovative materials as polymer andliquidcrystal statesisrequired.polarization Ourretarder products include are usedinapplicationswhere control oranalysis of Retarders Light traveling through aretarder hasavelocity birefringence.material Controllers direction givenupon itspolarization by where Retarder Principles n index direction. parallel tothatpolarization Bydefinition, through the material withdifferentthrough velocities thematerial (due to of theretarder. componentstravel polarization The orthogonal at45°relative lightisoriented tothefastPlane polarized axis orthogonal componentsvibrating alongthefast andslow axes. birefringent isvectorially material decomposedintotwo In figure 2-1, lightwave aplanepolarized incidentona axis. at ahighervelocity thanlightparallel totheorthogonalslow to asthe is referred toasthe For apositive uniaxial material, theextraordinary axis n e o > . The difference between thetwo indicesdefinesthe n o c for apositive uniaxialmaterial. isthespeedoflightinavacuum and fast axis. parallel tothefast Lightpolarized axistravels slow axis, axisisreferred whiletheordinary v =c/n n e and the ordinary andtheordinary v n dependent istherefractive www.meadowlark.com and hightransmission properties. are retarders sometimespreferredQuartz for theirdurability -0.5%per°C. retarder about a 1mmthick by quartz varies temperature. ofthumb,As arule theretardance (inwaves) for can beextremely sensitive toincidentangle, wavelength and transmitted wavefront quality. However, multiple-order retarders substrate providesof thequartz excellent surface and (typically orhalf-wave) quarter- are offered. Precision polishing number ofwaves plus thedesired fractional retardance surface reflections oftheretarder.surface reflections effect canbesubstantial, dependinguponthethickness and wavelength whenacoherent lightsource isused. This etalon sufferAll retarders smallretardance oscillationsasafunctionof upon bothincidentwavelength andretarder thickness. This equationillustrates thatretardance isstrongly dependent More commonly, andmounting. inbothfabrication difficulties 15 waveplate quarter order for quartz 550nmoperation isonly From theequationsshown ontheprevious page, zero- atrue

Retardance isthenrepresented by: componentisdelayedthat onepolarization relative totheother. thickness ofbirefringent element(innanometers) = t Retardance canalsobeexpressed inunitsoflength, thedistance where where: Retardance (inwaves) isgiven by: leaves theretarder elliptically polarized. state.producing amodifiedpolarization The transmitted light birefringence) andare phaseshiftedrelative toeach other Quartz A review ofseveral retarder typesispresented below. easily. is thinandmusthave alow birefringence tobemanufactured temperature andangleofincidence. zero-order A true retarder retardanceapplications requiring withwavelength, stability order are retarders oftenpreferred for themostdemanding retardance), compoundzero-order, zero-order. ortrue True zero- canbemultiple-order (havingseveralRetarders waves of calcite, ormost commonly, quartz. polymers.oriented are retarders oftenmadeofmica, Crystalline (bothsolidandliquid) molecular order such ascrystals Birefringence withanisotropic iscommoninmaterials Retarder Types μ λ β m thick. Such athin, retarder fragile presents handling wavelength ofincidentlight(innanometers) = = birefringence ( = hasabirefringence of~0.0092inthevisible region. δ , istheretardance (innanometers). •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] multiple-order quartz n δ , e δ =β =δ - n λ o

t/ ) = λ

β t retarders having a whole havingawhole retarders Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 25

may be may crystals electro-optic These polymer stacks are then are stacks polymer These dual wavelength retarder dual wavelength use total internal reflection to create retarders are electrically variable waveplates. variable electrically waveplates. retarders are tunable birefringent retarders use birefringent tunable We precisely orent and layer several polymer sheets to make polymer several and layer orent precisely We Note that a compound zero-order quartz a compound zero-order that Note field of improved does not provide retarder only a retarder, a multiple-order view over does. retarder true zero-order Liquid crystal Rhombs Fresnel Other achromatic polymer retarders. polymer achromatic Retardance is altered by applying a variable, low voltage voltage low variable, a by is altered applying Retardance made byretardersThese placing a thin liquid are waveform. microns spaced a few windows parallel crystal between layer liquid crystal Different in birefringence materials range apart. true zero-order fabrication enabling of thin, 0.05 to 0.26, from region. to near infrared retarders in the visible a phase shift between two orthogonal polarization orthogonal polarization two a phase shift between achromatic make excellent rhombs Fresnel components. complete descriptionA more of reflection retarders retarders. 5. listed on page in the references can be found laminated between optical flats. Achromatic polymer polymer Achromatic optical flats. laminated between broadband the versatilityretarders offer needed for requirements. applications with demanding performance

such as KD*P (potassium dideuterium phosphate). This This as KD*P (potassium dideuterium such phosphate). at operate cell retarders which material is used in Pockels for verymegahertz but require high voltage frequencies control. retardance the answer. Some versions of dual wavelength retarders can Some versions of dual wavelength the answer. different at two specified retardances different also provide wavelengths. When a retarder must have the same retardance at two at two the same retardance must have When a retarder an for by a span too large separated that are wavelengths then a retarder, achromatic www.meadowlark.com retarder improves performance performance improves retarder on ti Phase retarda materials offer a lower birefringence than quartz and birefringence materials a lower offer

, a natural mineral, is cleaved to precise thicknesses offering thicknesses to precise is cleaved mineral, a natural ,

compound zero-order quartz compound zero-order Polymer Mica A Fig. 2-1 Retarder Principles Retarder true zero-order retarders. However, cleaving is difficult over is difficult cleaving over However, true retarders. zero-order apertures the necessary and does not offer large or tolerance the long Also, most applications. for required spatial uniformity term of optical quality mica is uncertain. supply can therefore be made into true zero-order retarders of retarders be made into true of zero-order can therefore to incidence sensitive less They much are thickness. reasonable quartz zero-order angle than either multiple- or compound dispersion Birefringence (or variation with retarders. is This factor material. polymer varies with each wavelength) an important when manufacturing polymer consideration retarders. material using a the polymer Optics protects Meadowlark proprietary flat optically between lamination process windows. This assembly provides the transmitted wavefront quality quality wavefront the transmitted provides This assembly necessary optical applications. precision for by combining two multiple-order quartz waveplates with the with the quartz multiple-order waveplates bytwo combining is axis of one plate The fast difference. retardance desired cancelling the large axis of the other, aligned with the slow fractional the desired leaving only and values retardance Thermal quarter- or half-wave). (typically difference retardance quartzstability retarders is improved of compound zero-order retarders cancel. of the two effects as temperature [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 26 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Polarization Control withPolymers incidence angle Fig. 2-3 Fig. 2-2 retarders Fig. 2-4

Polymer retarder assembly afwv eadrpromnevru Half-wave retarder performance versus Wavelength performance ofcommon quarter-wave or www.meadowlark.com quotation. forbe fabricated areasonable price. Pleasecallfor acustom Meadowlark Opticspolymer withlarge retarders can apertures and becomecost-prohibitive beyondtwo inches indiameter. tofabricate Large are retarders difficult quartz aperture for specificoperating temperatures. accuracy. We calibrate canalsothermally polymer retarders temperature ranges withoutsignificantly degrading retardance 0.04%per°C,about allowing operation over moderate The temperature sensitivityoflaminatedpolymer is retarders is shown infigure 2-4. of different retarder typesandtheirdependenceonwavelength zero-order polymer shown retarders infigure 2-2. A comparison ofachromaticconstruction isthesameasthatfor retarders retar We alsoproduce achromatic withexcellent retarders source wavelength. excellent retarder performance even withminorshiftsinthe performance. Meadowlark Opticspolymer maintain retarders conditionscausewavelengthand drive shiftswhich may alter wavelength tolerance of±10nm. Changes withtemperature concern. For example, diodelaserhasacenter anoff-the-shelf Retardance accuracy with wavelength change isoftenakey less than1%over a±10°incidenceangle. polymer retarders. andquartz A polymer retarder changes by change inretardance asafunctionofincidenceanglefor zero-order are true retarders.they Figure 2-3compares the Polymer offer retarders excellent angularfield-of-view since losses. minimizing beamdeviationandsurface reflection ensures excellent transmitted wavefront quality, while near infrared region. (shown infigure 2-2)This construction optical cementhelptomaximizetransmission inthevisible to BK7windows.flat coatingsandindex matching Antireflection laminated betweenmaterial two precision polished, optically Our polymer retarder assembly consistsofbirefringent polymer Birefringent Polymers combination ofhighperfor optical applications. These innovative offer aunique materials for control inprecision polarization andliquid crystals polymers Meadowlark Opticsspecializesintheuseofbirefringent beyondthelimitationsofthosecrystals. versatility choice for retarders. Today’s applicationsrequire performance have traditionallyquartz) beenthebirefringent of materials (calcite, materials crystalline Naturally-occurring micaand Meadowlark Op Custom sizes andretardances areavailable.Pleasecontact your dance accuracy broad over wavelength avery range. Basic •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ti cs salesengineerfor assistance. mance andcost-effectiveness. Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 27 Optical Isolator Optical is often combined with a linear retarder A quarter-wave used to eliminate polarizer an optical isolator, to form A common application prevents reflections. undesired reflectedunwanted re-entering light from a laser cavity. a discussion of Optical Isolators. 19 for Please see page Retarder Half-Wave sometimes called polarization retarders are Half-wave flips retarder A half-wave the polarization direction rotators. When the axis. fast of incoming light about the retarder axis and the input plane of fast the retarder angle between horizontal polarized light is converted to polarization is 45°, a linear polarized rotates input retarder A half-wave vertical. axis and the fast the retarder by twice the angle between 2-6. in figure as shown input plane of polarization, the can also be used to change retarder A half-wave polarizedhandedness of a left-circular beam to right-circular is also retarder A half-wave or vice versa. polarized, the polarization direction used to change conveniently laser is impractical. of a large rotation mechanical where Retarder Full-Wave eliminating components for valuable retarders are Full-wave Many in an optical system. polarizationunwanted changes alter the metal mirrors, especially optical components, For polarization phase shifts. state by unwanted introducing polarized input beam becomes elliptically a linearly example, Ellipticity polarized upon reflecting off of a metal surface. and retarder corrected by using a full-wave can be accurately its to change axis, or slow tilting it about either the fast slightly. retardance A retarder (or waveplate) alterspolarization the (or waveplate) of light A retarder and the on the retardance that depends in a manner plane axis and the input fast the retarder angle between common waveplates of the most Examples of polarization. follow. Retarder Quarter-Wave is used to convert light between retarder A quarter-wave linearly changes It and linear polarizationcircular forms. the angle when polarizedpolarized light, light to circularly axis fast polarization the input and the retarder between is 45°. polarized light is converted linearly to right- 2-5, In figure polarizedhand circular by light retarder. the quarter-wave light polarized retarder, the quarter-wave Upon exiting to relative by 1/4 wave axis is retarded to the slow parallel the exit When recombined, light polarized axis. along the fast polarized. light is circularly orientation will convert input right- this retarder Similarly, polarized polarizedhand circular light to vertical linearly of travel. a reversed direction light for www.meadowlark.com m of the μ m and a quarter- m and a quarter- m thick. μ μ ° Micro Retarders Micro . φ

A half-wave retarder rotates linearly polarized linearly polarized rotates retarder A half-wave A quarter-wave retarder converts linearly polarized linearly polarized converts retarder A quarter-wave

material, the total thickness of a 1550 nm half-wave thickness of a 1550 nm half-wave the total material, 15 is only approximately retarder edge. 8 is approximately retarder wave dimensions less than 1 mm. The edges can be cut to be cut to can dimensions less than 1 mm. The edges within 15 be used to to allow the retarder • of the PolyWave the high birefringence Due to • with these retarders Meadowlark Optics produces PolyWave is a high birefringence polymer that enables enables polymer that is a high birefringence PolyWave retarders. ultra-thin with testing passed rigid environmental retarders Micro of exposure months many after in retardance no change conditions. extreme to

Fig. 2-6 Polarization Manipulation with Retarders with Manipulation Polarization by 2 light Fig. 2-5 or vice versa light, polarized circularly to light [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 28 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers S The lightoutputS S The Mueller matrix MforThe Muellermatrix awaveplate withretardance

C where: isexpressedthe horizontal) as: fast(in degrees) axisorientation andarbitrary where: as: The Stokesvectorlightpolarization Sdescribes component. characteristics through oflightthathaspropagated the and vector, theresulting vector represents thepolarization form oftheincidentbeam.polarization Multiplying thematrix component are represented a matrix. by A vectorthe describes In thegeneral case, ofanoptical properties polarizing simple means. form are representedcomponents onthatpolarization by ofalightbeamandtheeffects ofopticalthe polarization evaluating asysteminvolve MuellerandJones calculuswhere states ofanopticalsystem.polarization Two commonways of Several methodsexist for computingandanalyzing the General Analysis Polarization Analysis Example M = U Q V I 2 2

≡ ≡ = = = = sin(2

totallightintensity, cos(2 circular components. intensity difference betweenandleft right components oriented at±45ºand components oriented intensity difference between linearly polarized vertical linearly components, polarized intensity difference betweenand horizontal 0 1 0 0 φ φ ) ) and C S 2 2 C 2 , S +S iscalculatedby: 2 , =MS. (1-cos 2 sin 0 2 2 cos S = δ δ δ ) U Q V I S S 2 C 2 -C 2 2 +C (1 -cos 2 sin 0 2 2 cos δ δ ) φ (measured from www.meadowlark.com -S C cos 2 2 sin sin 0 δ δ δ δ M = you may have regarding your application. tohelpyou are happy withanyour engineers questions theory.comprehensive ofpolarization descriptions Also, The references shown onpage 3provide detailedand This vector representslight. circular polarized 100%right Multiplying the inputStokesvector the Sby Mresults in: component Muellermatrix is: polarization retarder withitsfast axisat45ºrelative totheincoming representationThe Muellermatrix for aquarter-wave given by: linearly inputlighthasaStokesvectorHorizontal polarized waveincident onaquarter retarder isshown below. A simpleanalysis linearly beam usingahorizontal polarized An Example 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 -1 0 0 0 1 0 0 •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] S S = , = 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 29 λ /2 Wave Part No. Part ZH-100- λ λ in nanometers when in nanometers /4 Wave Part No. Part λ λ

(in.) Unmounted Thickness (in.) Clear Aperture ts ﬁ Zero Order Quartz Retarder waveplate internal internal waveplate Quartz Retarder Order Zero

Tolerates high temperature Tolerates threshold damage High CW laser retardance Tip tunable Good UV transmission assistance engineer for cs sales (in.) 1.00 0.80 0.23 ZQ-100- ti Diameter ORDERING INFORMATION ORDERING ordering. Custom sizes or center wavelengths can be specified be wavelengths can or center sizes ordering. Custom your application. for your Meadowlark contact are available. Please sizes Custom Op Please include the standard wavelength Please include the standard transmission Fig. 2-7 Key Bene Key • • • • quartz order retarders zero for air spaced compound provide We or better UV threshold, higher damage special applications where These retarders combine than normaltransmission is required. quartz multiple order retarders axis directions with their optic two is the of the pair The net retardance another. perpendicular to one The net retarders. of these two in the retardance difference a true as zero changes to temperature is as insensitive retardance to angle of incidence as a but is as sensitive quartzorder retarder of the sum of the of the thickness quartz multiple order retarder permits adjustment tuning of retardance Angle quartztwo pieces. nearbydesign wavelength. the use at a wavelength for www.meadowlark.com CW at 1064 nm CW at 2 for a 10 nsec pulse at a 10 nsec pulse at for 2 /300 /200 /10 λ λ λ normal incidence 0.25% at sec 10 arc Crystal quartz, 2 pieces Crystal ± ± ≤ ≤ and dig 20-10 scratch ≤ ± 0.005 in. 266, 308, 355, 488, 514.5, 532 and 1064 nm +80° C -20° C to 1 MW/cm 1064 nm 2 J/cm

oo SPECIFICATIONS Retarder Material Retarder accuracy Retardance 300 nm Above Below 300 nm Distortion Wavefront Transmitted central 632.8 nm over (at 8mm diameter) (per surface) Reflectance Quality Surface Beam Deviation Tolerance Diameter Wavelengths Standard Range Temperature Operating Safe Recommended Limit

NEW Compound Zero Order Quartz Retarders Quartz Order Zero Compound CCCC [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 30 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Precision Retarders Fig. 2-8 Fig. 2-9

Quarter-wave Precision Retarder performance Half-wave Precision Retarder performance www.meadowlark.com techniques thatcanmeasure retardance to Meadowlark Opticshasdeveloped precision ellipsometric incidence angle. You canexpect lessthan 1%retardance change over ±10° the significantadvantage ofimproved angularperformance. Since polymer zero-order are retarders true devices, offer they retardance differences from theidealcase. statebaseduponthecalculate thetransmitted polarization onpage 24canbeusedtoThe Muellercalculusdescribed wavelength for andhalf-wave aquarter- retarder, respectively. 2-9 show theretardance behavior asafunctionofr the highestaccuracy obtainable. calibration measurements suppliedwithyour retarder are of industry. You canhave absolute confidence thatthe Our metrologyfor thesemeasurements isthebestin center wavelength vary inwavelength fromvary theirnominalvalue. whenusingsources which important This relationship isvery The retardance typically greater than97%. coating. Optical transmittance ofaPrecision Retarder is arePrecision suppliedwithabroadband Retarders antireflection reference. The retarder fast axisisconveniently marked for quick andeasy between two precision polished, BK7windows. optically flat consistofabirefringentPrecision Retarders polymer cemented tolerance ofallpolymer retarders. zero-orderThese true have thehighestopticalqualityandtightest retardance for thevisible tonearinfrared region. OurPrecision Retarders Meadowlark Opticsspecializesinprecision polymer retarders • • • • • • Key Bene where zero-order quartzwaveplates Better angularacceptance thancompound Lower cost thancompound zero-order quartzwaveplates Less temperature dependencethanquartzwaveplates Unequaled measurement accuracy Excellent off-axis performance True zero-order retarders δ c istheretardance at ﬁ •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts δ atawavelength λ c isgiven by: δ

≈

δ c λ ( c λ . c / λ λ thatisdifferent from the ) λ /1000. Figures 2-8and elative

Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 31 λ λ λ λ λ λ /2 Wave /2 Wave Part No. Part No. Part λ λ NH-050- NH-100- NH-200- NHM-050- NHM-100- NHM-200- λ λ λ λ λ λ in nanometers in nanometers /4 Wave /4 Wave

Part No. Part No. Part λ λ λ Please refer to page 43 for for page 43 to Please refer

Mounted (in.) (in.) Unmounted Thickness Thickness (in.) (in.) Clear Clear Aperture Aperture PROBLEM use for retarder zero-order a compound “I purchased of I need a good field where system in an imaging a true of the field of view Do these really have view. retarder?” zero-order SOLUTION compound In fact, misconception. This is a common twice as bad as the are retarders zero-order If you made from! are they retarders multi-order true zero- use a must you view, field of need a good at Note See our Application retarder. order www.meadowlark.com. (in.) (in.) 1.00 0.40 0.25 NQM-050- 0.501.00 0.402.00 0.80 0.13 1.60 0.26 NQ-050- 0.51 NQ-100- NQ-200- 1.00 0.70 0.35 NQM-100- 2.00 1.20 0.50 NQM-200- Diameter Diameter ORDERING INFORMATION ORDERING Please specify your center wavelength Please specify your center when ordering. wavefront with improved transmitted retarders size Custom requirements are available. Your beam deviation and/or distortion for Please call are also welcome. shapes and sizes custom for a quote. retarders Meadowlark Optics one and two inch diameter Mounts. fit our Rotary conveniently more information. tilt ° www.meadowlark.com , 20 ns, visible , CW 2 2 /2 λ , 20 ns, 1064 nm 2 /350 /5 λ λ

1 arc min 1 arc normal incidence 0.5% at /4 and Birefringent Polymer Birefringent A, fine annealed BK 7 Grade 532, 632.8, 670, 780, 850, 1064 and 1550 nm 400-1800 nm (specify) λ ≤ ≤ 40-20 scratch and dig 40-20 scratch ≤ ≤ ±0.005 in. +0/-0.010 in. ±0.020 in. 50° C 20° C to 500 W/cm 600 mJ/cm 4 J/cm

SOLUTION on tolerance tight our even exceeds 0.5 nanometers A 10 retarder. angle tuning your Try retardance! “My laser center wavelength varies by a few varies by a few wavelength center “My laser be a nearly to retarder I need my but nanometers, each for retardance of quarter-wave perfect give maximum isolation. I’ll go to wavelength in order at 0.5 spaced purchase 10 retarders if I have to broke Is there another way?”nm intervals. can change the retardance by about 1.25 nm or 0.002 by about 1.25 the retardance change can tilt to 632.8 nm. Remember at of retardance waves at likely retarder, of your axis or slow about the fast Note our Application bench. See optical your ±45° to www.meadowlark.com. at about retarders variable use a liquid crystal Another solution is to 48. page retarder, PROBLEM Mounted SPECIFICATIONS Custom retardance values and sizes are available. Please call for a for are available. Please call values and sizes retardance Custom quote. Retarder Material Retarder Substrate Material Substrate Wavelengths Standard Wavelengths Custom Retardances Standard Retardance Accuracy Retardance Transmitted Wavefront Distortion Wavefront Transmitted 632.8 nm) (at

Surface Quality Surface Beam Deviation (per surface) Reflectance Tolerance Diameter Unmounted Thickness Tolerance Range Temperature Operating Safe Recommended Limit Precision Retarders Precision [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 32 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Commercial Retarders Limit Recommended Safe Operating Temperature Range Unmounted Diameter Tolerance Reflection (persurface) Beam Deviation Surface Quality (at 632.8nm) Transmitted Wavefront Distortion Retardance Accuracy Standard Retardance Custom Wavelengths Standard Wavelengths Substrate Material Retarder Material SPECIFICATIONS Mounted 600 mJ/cm 4 J/cm 500 W/cm -20° Cto +50°C +0/-0.015 in. ±0.005 in. ≤ ≤ 80-50 scratch and dig ≤ ≤ λ 400-1800 nm(specify) 1064 and1550nm 532, 632.8,670,780,850, Commercial QualityGlass Birefringent Polymer /4 and 0.5%at normalincidence 3arc min 3 λ /50 λ 2 , 20ns,1064nm λ /2 2 2 , CW , 20ns,visible www.meadowlark.com • • Key Bene marked. All Meadowlark have Opticsretarders theirfast axisconveniently wavelengths inthevisible andnearinfrared regions. andhalf-waveBoth quarter- are retarders available for popular on page 26. described on pages 30-31.described isthesameas Basicconstruction designed asalow-cost toourPrecision alternative Retarders usecommercialThese retarders qualityglasswindows andare wavefront qualityislesscritical. waveplates. are suitable forThey applicationswhere transmitted are ourmostaffordable Retarders lineofzero-order Commercial Custom sizes andretardance valuesareavailable. Rotary Mounts. Meadowlark Opticsoneandtwoinchretarders conveniently fitour ordering. Please specify yourcenterPlease specify wavelength ORDERING INFORMATION Diameter Diameter .016 .1RQ-200- 0.51 1.60 2.00 .008 .6RQ-100- 0.26 0.80 1.00 .004 .3RQ-050- 0.13 0.40 RQM-200- 0.50 RQM-100- 0.50 0.35 1.20 RQM-050- 0.70 2.00 0.25 1.00 1.00 0.40 (in.) (in.) Excellent performance Economical choice ﬁ •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts Aperture Aperture Clear Clear (in.) (in.)

Please refer to page43for details. Thickness Thickness Unmounted (in.) (in.)

Mounted λ λ λ innanometers when Part No. Part No. /4 Wave /4 Wave λ λ λ λ λ λ RHM-200- RHM-100- RHM-050- RH-200- RH-100- RH-050- λ λ Part No. Part No. /2 Wave /2 Wave λ λ λ λ λ λ Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 33

ts ﬁ Unmatched off-axis performance off-axis Unmatched retarders wavelength and custom Standard available versions and unmounted Mounted uncollimated for ideal performance Off-axis Key Bene Key • • • • the Retarders, Field Wide offers Optics now Meadowlark technology. retarder polymer in near zero-order latest innovation At their design wavelength, Wide Field Retarders provide a Retarders provide Field Wide At their design wavelength, out a wide acceptance angle, over value consistent retardance to 30° or more. for available designs are quarter-Standard and half-wave region. infrared to near visible in the common wavelengths as a performance Retarder Field Wide the 2-10 shows Figure Quarter- design. half-wave the function of incidence angle for in figure is shown performance Retarder Field Wide wave 2-11. antireflection broadband coatings are Multilayer (BBAR) coating performance Note that BBAR as standard. included best at (or these coatings perform varies with incidence angle; near) normal incidence. axis is the fast Optics retarders, As with all Meadowlark available are values Custom retardance marked. conveniently application Please call for 400-1800 nm. from wavelengths for a custom quotation. assistance or to request light applications light www.meadowlark.com performance performance Quarter-wave Wide Field Retarder performance performance Wide Field Retarder Quarter-wave Half-wave Wide Field Retarder performance performance Wide Field Retarder Half-wave

Fig. 2-11 incidence angle versus

Fig. 2-10 Wide Field Retarders Field Wide incidence angle versus [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 34 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Wide FieldRetarders Retardance Accuracy Standard Retardance Custom Wavelengths Standard Wavelengths Substrate Material Retarder Material Quarter-wave Retardance Change (at 30°tilt) Temperature Range Unmounted Diameter Tolerance At 30°incidence Reflectance (persurface) Beam Deviation Surface Quality (at 632.8nm) Transmitted Wavefront Distortion SPECIFICATIONS Half-wave Mounted At normalincidence ≤ λ 400-1800 nm(specify) 1064 and1550nm 532, 632.8,670,780,850, BK 7Grade fineannealed A, Birefringent Polymer at thecenter ofthepart ≤ ≤ 0° Cto 40°C +0/-0.010 in. ±0.005 in. ≤ ≤ ≤ 60-40 scratch anddig ≤ /4 and

1.0% 0.5% 1arc min λ λ λ λ /250 at normalincidence /100 /200 /2 λ /2 www.meadowlark.com your MeadowlarkOp Custom sizes andretardance valuesareavailable.Pleasecontact ORDERING INFORMATION Diameter Diameter .004 .4WFQ-050- 0.14 0.40 WQM-200- 0.50 WQM-100- 0.50 0.35 1.20 WQM-050- 0.70 2.00 0.25 1.00 1.00 0.40 .008 .8WFQ-100- 0.28 0.80 1.00 .012 .0WFQ-150- 0.40 1.20 1.50 (in.) (in.) •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] Aperture Aperture Clear Clear (in.) (in.) ti cs salesengineer for acustom quote. Thickness Thickness Unmounted (in.) (in.) Mounted

λ λ Part No. Part No. /4 Wave /4 Wave λ λ λ λ λ λ WHM-200- WHM-100- WHM-050- WFH-050- WFH-100- WFH-150- λ λ Part No. Part No. /2 Wave /2 Wave λ λ λ λ λ λ Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 35 ts ﬁ QUESTION QUESTION with two non-standard Retarder “I need a Dual Wavelength wavelengths. Can you help at two non-standard retardances me?” QUESTION QUESTION at two (or half) a quarter wave retarder “I have a need for the Precision wavelengths. Which do I order, different Retarder?” the Dual Wavelength or Achromatic Retarder ANSWER: While not all retardance and wavelength combinations combinations and wavelength While not all retardance of thousands of tens manufacture can we available, are our Dual Wavelength for combinations different Meadowlark Optics sales your Please contact Retarders. quote. and a custom assistance engineer for Low order field Wide angular coverage wavelength Broad ANSWER Dual wavelength retarders are primarily for use at two two at use primarily for are retarders Dual wavelength apart. If the by 20% separated wavelengths different by one of our standard both covered are wavelengths (please see ranges wavelength retarder achromatic Achromatic Precision for Box the Specifications a purchasing recommend 37), we on page Retarders do custom also can We Retarder. Achromatic Precision Please ranges. wavelength retarder achromatic Meadowlark Optics sales engineer for your contact quote. and a custom assistance is greater the two between difference If the wavelength then we wavelength, 35 % of the lower than 30 to Please contact Retarder. Wavelength a Dual recommend assistance Meadowlark Optics sales engineer for your Dual required the you design for can we so that all. help at need any or if you Retarder Wavelength Key Bene Key • • • www.meadowlark.com /100 at both wavelengths /100 at /4 λ λ

1 arc min 1 arc Birefringent Polymer Birefringent A, fine annealed BK 7 Grade ≤ ≤ ~ 4% at normal incidence ~ 4% at +0/-0.010 in. ≤ 0.14 in. 0.27 in. design dependant Angle of Incidence (°) Angle of Incidence Quartz Polymer v a WWW 01234567 Dual Wavelength Field of View Dual Wavelength

llllll

aaa

0.35 0.33 0.31 0.29 0.27 0.25 0.23 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.15

uuu Retardance Wave Fractional NEW SPECIFICATIONS Custom anti-reflection coatings to provide less than 0.5% reflection to coatings anti-reflection Custom your Meadowlark at both wavelengths are available. Please call a quote. Optics sales engineer for Substrate Material Substrate Accuracy Retardance Retarder Material Retarder Transmitted Wavefront Distortion Wavefront Transmitted 632.8 nm) (at Reflectance (per surface on (per surface Reflectance only) retarders uncoated tolerance Diameter Beam Deviation Thickness Half inch diameter One inch diameter Range Temperature

Dual wavelength retarders can provide the same retardance at the same retardance retarders can provide Dual wavelength by more in wavelength separated that are wavelengths two They can also retarder. by an achromatic than the span covered different at two specified retardances different provide been made these retarders have Traditionally wavelengths. using crystal retarders at both quartz multiorder and are retarders use polymers Our dual wavelength wavelengths. and consequently order lower much They usually are instead. with angle of incidence as in retardance change a slower have is about 20% of that the order On average figure. in the shown a Call for retarder. quartz a comparable dual wavelength for normallyquote on a custom coating on these uncoated at both is ±0.01waves tolerance The retardance retarders. in the custom combinations not listed Many wavelengths. custom a quote on your Please call for available. catalog are and 0.50 inches unmounted sizes are Standard requirement. 1.00 inches. Dual Wavelength Retarders Wavelength Dual DDDD Fig. 2-12 [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 36 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Dual Wavelength Retarders ORDERING INFORMATION Retardance Half wave Full wave Quarter Quarter wave First 3.Theretardance at thefirst wavelength [R nanometers And we have 10,000combinations! of data andtheletter “D”to start itoff. The partnumberisthencreated bythesefive pieces 100=1.00in. b. 050 = 0.50in. a. The outside diameter, 5. F= Full Wave Retardance 0.50in.or1.00[ where c. H= Half Wave Retardance b. Q=Quarter Wave Retardance a. 2.TheSecond (orhigher)wavelength [ nanometers 4. The retardance 4. F=FullWave at thesecond wavelength Retardance [R c. H=HalfWave Retardance b. Q=Quarter Wave Retardance a. where: 1.TheFirst (orlower) wavelength [ brackets): information are required (withtheirsymbols in To order dualwavelength retarders, five piecesof HOW TO ORDERDUAL WAVELENGTH RETARDERS Retardance Half wave Full wave Quarter Quarter Second wave Available Combina D R 1 Diameter R

1.00 0.50 (in.) 2 – D –

λ Wavelength ti 1064.1 nm 1 ons 632.8 nm 514.5 nm / 976 nm 780 nm 488 nm λ First First 2 λ 1 n ] in λ 2 n ] in Wavelength www.meadowlark.com 1064.1 nm 1 632.8 nm 514.5 nm , ], 976 nm 780 nm 488 nm Second D ] 2 ] part number. Please note thatthedecimalisnotincludedin DQQ –1000514/1064 is then: outside diameter is1.00inches.Thepartnumber quarter wave ofretardance at 1064.1nm.The quarter wave ofretardance at 514.5nmanda A dualwavelength retarder isrequested witha Example 2: DFH –0500488/0976 0.50 in.Thepartnumberisthen: retardance at 976nm.Theoutsidediameter is wave ofretardance at 488nmandahalfwave of A dualwavelength retarder isrequested withafull Example 1 : •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 37 λ λ λ λ /2 Wave /2 Wave Part No. Part No. Part λ λ AH-100- AH-050- AHM-050- AHM-100- , 10 ns, visible λ λ , 10 ns, 1064 nm , CW 2 2 2 λ λ /2 485 - 630 555 - 730 630 - 835 735 - 985 920 - 1240 λ 1200 - 1650 in nanometers when in nanometers /4 Wave /4 Wave /100 /4 Part No. Part No. Part Operating Range (nm) Range Operating λ λ λ λ λ min 1 arc 0.5% at normal incidence 0.5% at /4 and λ ≤ ≤ and dig 40-20 scratch ≤ ≤ Birefringent Polymer Stack Polymer Birefringent A, fine BK 7 Grade annealed ±0.005 in. +0/-0.010 in. ±0.020 in. +50° C -20° C to 500 W/cm 500 mJ/cm 300 mJ/cm

(in.) (in.) Mounted Unmounted Thickness Thickness (in.) (in.) 545 630 720 840 Clear Clear 1060 1400 Aperture Aperture ts ﬁ Broad spectral range range spectral Broad of view Superior field assistance. cs sales engineer for Standard Wavelength (nm) Wavelength Standard (in.) (in.) 1.00 0.80 0.28 AQ-100- 0.50 0.40 0.14 AQ-050- 1.00 0.401.00 0.25 0.70 AQM-050- 0.35 AQM-100- ti Mounted Diameter Diameter SPECIFICATIONS Retardance Accuracy Retardance Wavefront Transmitted 632.8 nm) (at Distortion Quality Surface Beam Deviation Reflectance (per surface) Reflectance Retarder Material Retarder Material Substrate Diameter Tolerance Diameter Unmounted Thickness Tolerance Range Temperature Operating Safe Recommended Limit ORDERING INFORMATION ORDERING ordering. Custom sizes or center wavelengths can be specified wavelengths can or center sizes ordering. Custom your application. for your Meadowlark are available. Please contact sizes Custom Op Please include the standard wavelength Please include the standard Key Bene Key • • www.meadowlark.com /100 for all wavelengths in all wavelengths /100 for performance c Retarder λ ti performance c Retarder ti Half-wave Achroma Half-wave Quarter-wave Achroma Quarter-wave

Fig. 2-14 Fig. 2-13

Our Precision Achromatic Retarders consist of carefully aligned aligned Retardersof carefully consist Achromatic Our Precision precision sheets laminated between polymer birefringent is quite similar Assembly flat optically BK 7 windows. polished, Retarders. of our Precision to the assembly Retarder the Precision from varies slightly Optical transmittance Achromatic used in each are layers polymer because several Retarder. to accurate retardance provide We

Precision Achromatic Retarders Achromatic Precision Retarders are Achromatic Precision Optics Meadowlark broad a over constant retardance a nearly provide designed to devices are quarter- Standard and half-wave region. wavelength and in the visible regions wavelength common for available near infrared. the operating range. Achromatic retarders are an excellent an excellent retarders are Achromatic range. the operating use. applications requiring wavelength broad for choice [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 38 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Fig. 2-15 Retarder performance Bi-Crystalline Achromatic Retarders 0.245 0.250 0.265 0.235 0.240 0.255 0.260

Quarter-Wave Bi-Crystalline Achromatic www.meadowlark.com design thatcanbeyoursolution. polarization Achromat andalarge fieldof view, callus. We have aproprietary exceed 1.5°. Ifyou musthave theperformance ofaBi-Crystalline their retardance accuracy for rays whoseincidenceangles polymer achromats. Typically, cannotbeexpected they tomeet temperatures. Their fieldofview compared isnarrow to polymer achromats andcanwith IR. have higherpowerThey thanour handlingcapability to ourpolymer achromats inthevisible, excel butthey inthe Bi-Crystalline Achromats are similar inachromatic performance are available onrequest. designs withlarger achromaticwavelengths ranges ordeeperUV Retarder performance Fig. 2-16 a retardance value within of wavelengths. The useable wavelength range isdefinedtogive give anearly constantretardance (inwaves) over abroad range of waveplate thicknesses, isbalancedto retardance dispersion to give aneffective zero-order waveplate. Byacareful choice fluoride,other magnesium are combinedinasubtractive mode retarders,crystalline andthe quartz one madeofcrystalline ofthespectrum.near IRandportions Two multi-order and half-wave achromatic thatspantheUV, retarders visible, Meadowlark Opticsispleasedtooffer aselectionofquarter- • • • Key Bene

Retardation (waves) Superior IRperformance Volume pricing High damage threshold 0.495 0.485 0.490 0.500 0.510 0.505 0.515

Half-Wave Bi-Crystalline Achromatic ﬁ •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts 400 500 λ 600 /100 ofthenominalvalue. Custom 700 800 900 stand higherstorage 1000 2000 Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 39 /2 Wave Part No. No. Part λ /4 Wave Part No. No. Part λ Mounted Unmounted (in.) Clear Aperture Clear Aperture (in.) 1.00 0.40 CQM-050 CHM-050 0.50 0.40 CQ-050 CH-050 Diameter ORDERING INFORMATION INFORMATION ORDERING We offer standard Bi-Crystalline Achromatic Retarders to cover 4 cover to Achromatic Retarders Bi-Crystalline standard offer We NIR, IR. Please VIS, (see graph): UV, regions of the spectrum specify placing your order. wavelength region when www.meadowlark.com 412-475 nm 500-650 nm 600-840 nm 1190-1660 nm /2 , 10 ns, 1064 nm λ 2 /500 per °C /4 /100 over wavelength wavelength /100 over λ λ λ

1 arc min 1 arc normal incidence 0.5% at /4 or ≤ range < -40° C to +75° C -40° C to 2 J/cm 40-20 scratch and dig 40-20 scratch ≤ ≤ ≤ Quartz and Magnesium Quartz and Fluoride λ 395-465 nm 475-590 nm 600-900 nm 690-2050nm Quarter Wave Half Wave Wave Quarter

SPECIFICATIONS Retardance Accuracy Retardance of Coefficient Temperature Retardance Range Wavelength Ultraviolet Visible Near Infrared Infrared Temperature Storage Range Storage Temperature Safe Recommended Limit Operating Surface Quality Surface Beam Deviation Transmitted Wavefront Distortion Wavefront Transmitted 632.8 nm) (at (per surface) Reflectance

Materials Materials Retardance Bi-Crystalline Achromatic Retarders Achromatic Bi-Crystalline [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 40 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers at-a-glance review ofstandard retarders. size.aperture provides OurRetarder an SelectionChart temperature sensitivity, acceptanceangle, response timeand considered. These features include wavelength dependence, When selectingaretarder, performance features key mustbe Selection Retarder Retarder SelectionChart eadrTp aePoutFaue 0 10 10 2000 1500 1000 500 Product Features most popularretarder type • 30 Page Precision Retarder Type omril3 most economical retarder choice • 32 Commercial ieFed3 unmatched on-axis performance • 33 Wide Field opudZr re urz2 tolerates hightemperature • loworder • 29 35 Compound Zero Order Quartz Dual Wavelength iudCytlVral 8• unmatched versa • 48 Liquid Crystal Variable Bi-Crystalline Achroma Precision Achroma standard products ti c 37 • industry-leading design • 37 c ti c3 superiorinfrared performance • 38 c custom op • insensi large, custom clearapertures available • • insensi idealfor uncollimated light applica • • highCWlaserdamage threshold • broad wavelength coverage • • wide angular standard andcustom wavelength versions • • op excellent broadband opera • highpower handling capability • custom wavelength ranges available • excellent broadband opera • custom retardance ranges available • electrically controlled retardance • ti p tunableretardance ti ti ons c axis independent ofwavelength ti ti ve to smallwavelength varia ve to smallwavelength varia www.meadowlark.com ﬁ eld ti lity ti ti on on process ofselectingaretarder. toassistyouMeadowlark are happy inthe Opticsengineers measurements for retarder we every ship. techniques provide you withextremely accurate calibration commercial companies. measurement Ourproprietary Meadowlark Opticsisaleaderinretarder among metrology ti ons ti ti ons ons •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] Wavelength Range Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 41 0.80 1.60 0.80 (diameter) 0.37, 0.70 0.80, 1.20 0.80, 1.20 0.80, 1.20 0.40, 0.70, 0.40, 0.70, 0.40, 0.70, 0.40, 0.70, 0.40, 0.70, Clear Aperture ± 10° Angle ± 2° to 10° ± 2° to Acceptance applied voltage) (dependent upon (dependent on ti Polarizer and Retarder kits available, see page 42. page see kits available, and Retarder Polarizer λ /4/4 ± 1° 0.40 /4/4 ± 1° 0.40, 0.80 ± 5° /4 ± 5° /2 ± 30° /5 ± 10° λ λ λ λ λ λ λ Liquid Crystal retarders offer real-time, continuous control continuous control Liquid Crystal real-time, retarders offer parts.no moving with of retardance high for quartz preferred Multiple-order retarders are dual- for laser applications and can be designed power operation. wavelength Zero-order polymer retarders are lower in cost than than in cost lower retarders are polymer Zero-order quartz retarders. zero-order compound We offer polymer and liquid crystal polymer offer retarders in nonstandard We values. and retarder custom wavelengths sizes and for ed Wavefront Distor ed Wavefront • • • • tt (maximum at 632.8 mn) at (maximum Transmi on ti www.meadowlark.com (maximum) Beam Devia 0.5% min 2 arc ectance 0.25% sec 10 arc ﬂ Re (maximum per surface) (maximum on ti /50 0.5% min 3 arc 3 /100/500 0.5% min 1 arc /100 0.5% min arc 1 /300 /200 /100 ~ 4% min 1 arc /250 0.5% min 1 arc /350 0.5% min 1 arc λ

λ λ λ λ λ λ λ λ ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± Accuracy resolu

Retardance tunable with Below 300 nm: Above 300 nm: Above Large clear apertures are cost effective using polymer polymer using effective cost apertures are clear Large retarders. change to wavelength less sensitive retarders are Polymer 26). pg. 2-4, quartzthan multiple-order retarders (Figure retard- lower much retarders offer our achromatic By design, other birefringent than any ance variation with wavelength 26) pg. 2-4, (Figure retarder Polymer retarders offer much better field of view than either than either field of view better much retarders offer Polymer quartz retarders zero-order or compound multiple-order 26). pg. 2-4, (Figure

• • • • Retarder Selection Chart Selection Retarder [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 42 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Fig. 2-17 Polarizer/RetarderP Sets light to circularly polarized light, orviceversa For retarder specifications pleaserefer to page31. For polarizer specifications pleaserefer to page7. NEW o l a

r A quarter-wave retarder converts linearlypolarized i z er/ ° www.meadowlark.com mounted inablack anodizedaluminumring. packaged inaprotective wooden box. Each componentis light. are 1"diameter,The parts 0.7” clear andare aperture retarder at45degrees canbeusedtomakecircularly polarized created. For example, withaquarter-wave alinearpolarizer statescanbeaccuratelydifferent polarization andreproducibly the polarizer. Byusingdifferent combinations, of avariety onpages 30-31withinthesamewavelengthdescribed range as andseveralNIR1 orNIR2linearpolarizer precision as retarders Meadowlark OpticsPolarizer/Retarder setsinclude eithera VIS, • • Key Bene PRS1 sets includeapolarizer andoneretarder. PRS3 sets includeapolarizer andthree retarders. NIR2: 800-1700nm NIR1: 650-850nm VIS: 400-700nm able overthefollowing regions: when ordering.Halfwaveandquarter waveretarders areavail- Please specify yourwavelength(s) Please specify PRS5 sets includeapolarizer andfive retarders ORDERING INFORMATION I2PlrzrRtre e PRS1-NIR2- PRS1-NIR1- NIR2 Polarizer/Retarder Set NIR1 Polarizer/Retarder Set I2PlrzrRtre e PRS5-NIR2- PRS5-NIR1- NIR2 Polarizer/Retarder Set NIR1 Polarizer/Retarder Set PRS3-NIR2- PRS3-NIR1- NIR2 Polarizer/Retarder Set NIR1 Polarizer/Retarder Set Precise components Convenient box set I oaie/eadrStPRS1-VIS- VIS Polarizer/Retarder Set I oaie/eadrStPRS3-VIS- VIS Polarizer/Retarder Set I oaie/eadrStPRS5-VIS- VIS Polarizer/Retarder Set ﬁ •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts Item λ i aoees innanometers Part Number λ λ λ 1 / 1 1 / / λ λ . λ λ λ λ 2 1 / / 2 2 1 1 / / / / λ λ λ λ λ λ λ 3 2 λ λ / / 3 3 2 2 / / / / λ λ λ λ λ λ 4 3 / 4 4 3 3 / / λ λ λ 5 5 5 Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware LiquidDrive Crystal Electronics Devices Controllers 43 Part Number (in.) Height 0.500 ±0.004 in. 5.500 ±0.010 in. 3.00 in. holes on 0.25 in. through diameter 2.00 in. bolt circle (in.) ROTARY MOUNTS MOUNTS ROTARY MOUNTING POST AND BASE BASE AND POST MOUNTING Thickness Outside Diameter Item Number Part ts ﬁ and Base Setng Post MPB-1 ti Holds standard size optics size Holds standard of use Ease now Available 1.002.00 2.22 3.30 0.61 0.63 1.09 1.63 RM701 RM702 Inside Moun Diameter ORDERING INFORMATION INFORMATION ORDERING ORDERING INFORMATION INFORMATION ORDERING SPECIFICATIONS Mounting Post Dimensions Post Mounting Diameter Length Base Dimensions Pattern Height Hole Meadowlark Optics Rotary Mounts provide fine angular Optics RotaryMeadowlark fine angular provide Mounts in polarization applications. control adjustment often required ring retaining holds mounted optical components A threaded in place. Angular using the knurled edge. possible is Full 360° rotation with 2° increments. scale, on the graduated position is indicated with zero bearings smooth rotation precision provide Two component your secures screw locking A threaded back-lash. in position. diameter inch either one or two for available, versions are Two mounting post is included. inch A two parts. and Base Set Post Mounting liquid crystal Optics standard mountedMeadowlark devices are tapped with an 8-32 housing, anodized aluminum in a black and Base Set is designed to mate the Our Mounting Post hole. liquid crystal and optical table housing with standard thumbscrew threaded A knurled, hole patterns. breadboard Simple and height. optical component at the desired your locks angular adjustment is also provided. convenient Key Bene Key • • • www.meadowlark.com

Rotary Mount dimensions Mount Rotary

Fig. 3-1 Rotary Mounts Rotary [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 44 Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Controllers Fig. 3-3 BeamsplitterB CubeMounts Fig. 3-2 Fig. 3-5 NEW eams

32 mmmount 3-axis stage ( 10 mmmount 3-axis stage ( BCM-M25 prism axis p l i 3 counterboredclearance holes: M2 on20mmspacing M2 on20mmcenters 3 holes: ti ti p, p, ti ti lt androta lt androta

LiquidLiiququidid CCrystalryr sts ala DevicesDeve icese Top View www.meadowlark.com 35 mm ti ti on) on) B 12.5 mm • • Key Bene in size. upto32mm precision positioningofbeamsplittingpolarizers Meadowlark provides beamsplittermountswhich allows Fig. 3-4 SPECIFICATIONS 502. 001. 601 mBCM-M10 BCM-M32 10mm 32mm 36.0 16.0 122.0 10.0 35.0 20.0 40.0 25.0 50.8 65.0 AB BDE ABCD A Ease ofuse Holds standard size optics

Dimensions (mm) BCM-M40 prismaxis Top View ﬁ •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts B A Side View hole counterbored 1 / 4 -20 8-32 Max Prism D C Side View Size 20 mm Max E Number Part C D Max E Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 45

a id Cry m Me qqu rororr ffffff LLLiLiLiLiLi

tttttt t ifififififififif ww NEW from Meadowlark Optics NEW from 56 see page Retarders, Variable Liquid Crystal SwSwSwSwSSSS Swift A Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder is the fundamental is the fundamental Retarder Variable A Liquid Crystal devices and systems. used in the following component • and Rotators Attenuators Variable • Beamsplitters Variable • Shutters Modulators Light Spatial • Non-Mechanical Steerers • Beam Compensators • Optical • Polarimeters Filters • Tunable NEW Liquid crystal over outstanding performance retarders can offer and thickness cavity Material type, angles. incidence large in determining role the a large play voltage operating especially input angle. acceptable light linearly for is possible or modulation Phase control Electrical of the effective control polarized axis. 45° to the fast an optical phase tuning of precision allows index extraordinary in the propagating beam. delay Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders Variable Liquid Crystal Retarders provide Variable Crystal Optics Liquid Meadowlark These true zero-order tunability. solid-state retardance precise performance offering excellent engineered, precision devices are When ranges. wavelength to near infrared in the visible our Liquid Crystal optical components, combined with other attenuation, Retarders controllable electrically produce Variable or phase modulation. linear polarization rotation, range wavelength a broad Continuous tuning of retarders over versatilityThis added makes applications. many for is required polarizationreal-time with a single Liquid conversion possible 4-1 Figure controller. and electronic Retarder Variable Crystal with a a variety of output polarizationshows achieved forms is accomplished by phase modulation Pure single device. aligning the optic axis of the liquid crystal to a parallel retarder polarized beam. input linearly are attenuators rotation with no mechanical Variable Retarder Variable byconfigured placing a Liquid Crystal Full 180° linear polarization polarizers. crossed between by combining the Liquid Crystal be achieved can easily rotation with a fixed quarter Retarder waveplate. Variable Spatial Light Modulators controllable consist of individually used in a variety of intensity and/or These devices are pixels. variation spatial is required. applications where phase control details to the Spatial Light Modulator section for Please refer products. and specifications on these innovative www.meadowlark.com erent retardance retardance erent ﬀ /2 /4 λ λ /2 /4 < λ λ δ < < = 0 δ = = δ δ δ /4 < λ di for on forms ti 7 2 4 ∼ ∼ ∼ Output polariza

V < 4 V 2 < < 7 V 4 < 0 < Voltage Voltage V Retardance State Output V

Retardances greater than half-wave can be achieved by using by using can be achieved than half-wave greater Retardances materials liquid crystal and/or increased high birefringent layer of liquid crystal Birefringence materials at decreases thickness. and design for evaluation requiring proper wavelengths, longer optimum performance. Retarders used are Variable Optics Liquid CrystalMeadowlark While these region. infrared and near the visible throughout liquid crystal and by affected temperature retarders are they to accommodate can be calibrated changes, wavelength is versatile Retarder Variable The resulting those differences. thermal a considerable and significant across environment range. wavelength Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders are solid state, real-time, real-time, Retarders state, solid are Variable Liquid Crystal Nematic liquid crystals are waveplates. tunable continuously be can birefringence materials whose effective birefringent by varying voltage. an applied changed Liquid Crystal Optics Meadowlark Retarders constructed are flat optically fused silica windows polished, using precision The cavity is filled with nematic apart. microns spaced a few ensures This assembly liquid crystal material and sealed. beam deviation low quality and wavefront transmitted excellent applications. demanding many for required liquid crystalThe long axis of the the molecules defines the present, no voltage With index. (or slow) extraordinary and maximum retardance to the windows molecules lie parallel liquid crystal the is applied across When voltage is obtained. of the applied the direction tip toward the molecules layer, birefringence the effective increases, As voltage electric field. 4.6. See Figure in retardance. causing a reduction decreases, with retarder variable of a compensated values input linearly polarized horizontal

Fig. 4-1 Polarization Control with Liquid Crystals Liquid with Control Polarization [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 46 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Custom LiquidCrystal Capabilities us tocreate new, exciting solutionsfor control. polarization withnewwill provide ideasthatwillchallenge ourcustomers solutions for ourcustomers. We hopetheinformation below At Meadowlark Opticswe never ceaseworking onpolarization applications where astandard LCVRmightnotbeappropriate. withpotentialforDevice (TN)provides ourcustomers custom that are extremely useful. The Twisted NematicLiquidCrystal inotherwayswe alsohave toutilizeLiquidCrystals theability Crystal Variable Retarder, Attenuator andPolarization Rotator, While we typically listour standard products astheLiquid on ourwebsite atwww.meadowlark.com. Retarders”, UsingLiquidCrystal Polarimetry which isavailable intheapplicationnote use ofLCVRsisdescribed “Stokes andapproximately 150microseconds.symmetric An advanced With ournew SwiftLCtechnology , theswitching speedsare compensator) toover half-wave intheorder of10milliseconds. adjustable from nearly zero waves (orlessthanwithanoptional retarders.and standard crystalline are electronicallyThey Just oneofthesedevicescanreplace ofpolymer anentire series products istheLiquidCrystal crystal Variable Retarder (LCVR). A basicbuildingblock ofMeadowlark Opticslineofliquid Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders either parallel orperpendiculartoit. angletothelight butis moleculesisnotatanarbitrary crystal being usedinasituationwhere theopticalaxis oftheliquid of view iswidewhencompared toanLCVRbecausethe cell is withexactyourself voltages ortighttolerances. Also, thefield (below ~1 V) gives 90°rotation, soyou neednotconcern High voltage (above ~10 V) gives 0°rotation andlow voltage device over scheme. anLCVRisthesimplicityof the driving excellent solution. A bigadvantage ofthetwisted nematic angles, for example 0°and90°, atwisted-nematicdeviceisan If you desire toswitch statebetween thepolarization only two a digitalopticalswitch, only two statesare frequently required. statesofanopticalsystem,linear polarization or, inthecaseof One isoftenonly interested inproducing two orthogonal Twisted Nematic LiquidCrystal Cell www.meadowlark.com

seconds toswitch. over theentireparallel visible polarizers) range cantakeseveral to operate achromatically (for example totransmit <1%between minimum conditionmightswitch in10to50ms, onedesigned wavelengthwhile acelloperating ataparticular inthefirst generally, speeddrops quadratically withthethickness. Thus, speed ofanLCisastrong functionofthecellthickness; minimum?”the first The simpleanswer isspeed. The switching One mightask, given theachromaticity ofthicker cells “why use wavelength. axis canbeviewed asincreasing thickness ordecreasing minimum” andsoon. Inthisplot, moving alongthehorizontal The next highesttransmission minimumiscalled the “second the termed minimum”“first andthispositionistypically used. λ where disthethickness ofthecell, bisthebirefrin isthewavelength. goes tozero first isWhere thecurve between parallel polarizers tobeafunctionofthe variable, between parallel polarizers transmission (normalized This conceptisillustrated infigure 4-2, which shows the rotation characteristic isretained. andthethickness ofthecell,of theliquidcrystal thepure for discrete wavelengths, certain dependingonthebirefringence light,polarized butrotated elliptically light. polarized However, light isnolongerpolarized anoutputofrotated linearly longer actasapure rotator. The result ofinputtinglinearly gentle.as sufficiently When thisisnotthecase, thecellwillno wavelengths, which enoughfor are short thetwisttobeviewed rotation angleisequaltothetwistforpolarization all “Mauguin limit” anditsrotation isquiteachromatic. The molecules.crystal Such acellissaidtobeoperating inthe light, willsimply thepolarization follow thetwistofliquid If thetwistisgentle whencompared tothewavelength ofthe of thepolarization. voltage, however, thetwistdoesaffect thelight, causingrotation birefringence andtherefore doesnotaffect thelight. At low (~10 V) alignsthemoleculeswithfieldandremoves the moleculesistwisted90°.crystal As inanLCVR, highvoltage manner asastandard LCVRexcept thealignment oftheliquid inthesame cellisconstructed A twistednematicliquidcrystal NEW SwS Swift LiquidCrystal Variable Retarders, seepage 56 NEW from MeadowlarkOptics w if t

LLi f ror qqu •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] m Me id Cry a U =2d(b/ to1), ofa90° twisted nematiccell λ ), gence and

Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 47

s to several seconds several s to μ (or phase delay) 0 to 10,000 nm. 0 to (or phase delay) 50 350 nm-2.2 microns linear 50,000:1 for Up to light monochromatic polarized 100 mm 1 mm to Liquid crystal cell thickness changes Liquid crystal

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

0 0.1 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 assistance. cs sales engineer for Custom sizes are available. Please contact your Meadowlark Op- your Meadowlark are available. Please contact sizes Custom ti SPECIFICATIONS Liquid crystal design space Liquid crystal Speed Switching Range Wavelength Retardances Extinction Ratio Clear Aperture Fig. 4-3 Figure 4-4 shows the high contrasts of several thousands to one, thousands to one, of several the high contrasts 4-4 shows Figure twisted nematic cells. with practice in can be achieved which taken between was Contrast” “Normally Black The curve termed and high state a dark gives polarizersparallel voltage low where White “Normally The curve termed yields a bright state. voltage perpendicular polarizers taken between was where Contrast” state occursthe dark at high voltage.

www.meadowlark.com c liquid c ti c cell between ti on of thickness and/or ti Normally Black Contrast nema a twisted o for ti Normally White Contrast 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

Contrast ra Contrast

Transmission of a twisted-nema Transmission 0 6 4 0.1

1 1510 1520 1530 1540 1550 1560 1570 1580 1590

0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 10

10 10

100

1000

Transmission Contrast Ratio Contrast

Fig. 4-4 Custom Liquid Crystal Capabilities Crystal Liquid Custom crystal cell crystal wavelength as a func polarizers parallel Fig. 4-2 [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 48 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Fig. 4-5 axes are bothat 45° relative toaconvenient mountinghole. in ananodizedaluminumhousingsuch thatthefast andslow sealed. We carefully placetheLiquidCrystal Variable Retarder contactsare attachedElectrical andthedeviceisenvironmentally material.cavity isfilledwithbirefringent nematicliquidcrystal are thencarefully alignedandspacedafew microns apart. The molecularalignment.to provide for liquidcrystal Two windows layerA thindielectric isappliedover theITO andgently rubbed, 450 -1800nm(seeFigure 4.5). coating isspecially designedfor maximumtransmission from transparent conductive Indium Tin Oxide(ITO). OurITO fusedsilicawindows coatedwithour using optically flat andassemblyfabrication steps. We theseretarders construct Our precision Liquid Crystal Variable require Retarders unique linear orcircular polarization. lighttoany theinputpolarized chosenthus altering elliptical, the effective birefringence withappliedvoltage, ofthematerial products provide tunable retardation changingliquid crystal by electrically control polarization. Meadowlark Opticsstandard to materials products allusenematicliquidcrystal These crystal device Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders

Typical transmission through anuncoated liquid www.meadowlark.com per ºC). decreases withincreasing temperature (approximately -0.4% and temperature. The overall cell retardance ofaliquidcrystal birefringence dependsonoperating wavelength, drivevoltage thickness and birefringence. material Liquidcrystal As withany anisotropic material, retardance isdependentupon control. excellent opticalattenuator, withconvenient electronic Retarder between two creates highextinction an polarizers compensator. PlacingacompensatedLiquid Crystal Variable Crystal Variable Retarder withandwithout anattached illustrates retardance asafunctionofvoltage for atypicalLiquid between andleft-circularly states. right- polarized Figure 4-8 are sometimespreferred, for example, whenconverting cell.attached totheliquidcrystal Negative retardance values subtractive fixedpolymer retarder, calledacompensator, We achieve zero (orany custom)retardance witha voltage (20volts). pinning causesaresidual retardance of~30nmeven athigh are pinnedatthealignmentlayer.because they This surface Molecules atthesurface, however, are unable torotate freely reduction intheeffective birefringence andhence, retardance. 4-6(b). As voltage increases, causinga moleculestipfurther perpendicular tothefusedsilicawindows asshown infigure When voltage isapplied, moleculesbegintotip liquidcrystal and maximumretardation isachieved. moleculeslieparallel totheglasssubstrates the liquidcrystal distributed asshown infigure 4-6(a).distributed with theirlongaxesparallel, randomly butwiththeircenters isthat,of nematicmaterial onaverage, molecules are aligned cell.birefringent layers intheliquidcrystal An essentialfeature moleculesform uniaxial Anisotropic nematicliquidcrystal Fig. 4-6 withappliedvoltage showingmolecularalignment (a)withoutand(b)

Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder construc (a) Maximum Retardance (V =0) (a) MaximumRetardance (V (b) Minimum Retardance (V >>0) Retardance(b) Minimum (V •(303) 833-4333• [email protected]

With novoltage applied, applied voltage tipped with LC Molecules Alignment Layer Fused Silica Spacer LC Molecules ITO ti on Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 49 ww.meadowlark.com. ANSWER of response ral on tempo Note See our Application w devices at liquid crystal QUESTION “The device response of a liquid-crystal temporal I find some Where can seems very complicated. clarification?” Response Time Response depends on time response Retarder Variable Liquid Crystal viscosity, thickness, layer including parameters, several treatment. and surface variations in drive voltage temperature, Liquid crystal time is proportionalthe square to response the total of the square and therefore, thickness of the layer retardance. of the retardance depends upon direction Response time also is determined time response increases, If the retardance change. If retardance of the molecules. relaxation by mechanical solely due to the faster time is much response in value, decreases Typical electricincreased the liquid crystal field across layer. Variable Liquid Crystal visible our standard time for response It takes about 5 ms to switch 4-7b. in figure is shown Retarder and about 20 to high voltage) (low waves to zero one-half from voltage). (high to low to one-half wave zero from ms to switch by using custom materials with high Response time improves At higher layer. and a thinner liquid crystalbirefringence also contributing to a material viscosity decreases, temperature, 56 for see page speed critical applications, For response. faster Swift LC devices. (TNE) Effect Nematic Transient the involves Another technique a high method, this drive With times. response to improve the molecular alignment spike is applied to accelerate voltage to achieve is then reduced Voltage to the applied field. parallel to high low from When switching retardance. the desired the to allow removed is momentarily all voltage retardance Response liquid crystal relaxation. natural molecules to undergo is also shown nematic effect with the transient time achieved described Channel Digital Interface on Our Four 4-7c. in figure TNE voltage the necessary provides 60-61 conveniently pages profiles. a Retarders provide Variable Liquid CrystalOur standard at to at least half-wave of ~30 nm range minimum retardance compensator, an attached With the specified wavelength. to at least half-wave zero from to range is guaranteed retardance (up to ranges Custom retardance at the specified wavelength. Contact and custom compensators available. are waves) a few our Sales Department requirements. to discuss your is supplied with retardance Retarder Variable Liquid CrystalEach specified wavelength. your data for performance versus voltage easy for is provided with mating connector A coaxial cable controllers. to one of our electronic attachment www.meadowlark.com Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder performance performance Retarder Variable Liquid Crystal Temporal response of LC Variable Retarder Variable of LC response Temporal

b) a) wave. is a 2 kHz square The applied voltage the liquid crystal will damage DC voltage Excessive Fig.4-7 Fig.4-8

632.8 nm, 21° C. at applied voltage versus and (a) without compensator (b) with compensator Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders Variable Crystal Liquid [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 50 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Fig. 4-9 Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders approximately 0.2%to0.3%per its clear aperture. Without thisoption, retardance decreases by The sensorisattached directly totheLCVR substrate, outside LCVRs for accurate controlling oftheoperating temperature. A temperature sensingandcontrol optioncanbeaddedtoour on pages 59-61ensure thesedriverequirements are met. Our BasicController andFour ChannelInterface described controlling ourLiquidCrystal Variable (LCVR). Retarders require a2kHzsquare wave ofadjustable amplitudefor layer.buildup which candamage theliquidcrystal We an AC waveform withnoDCcomponenttoprevent ionic devicesshouldbe electrically driven with Liquid crystal Operating Limit Recommended Safe Temperature Range Diameter Tolerance Reflectance (persurface) Beam Deviation Surface Quality Distortion (at 632.8nm) Transmitted Wavefront Withcompensator Withoutcompensator Retardance Range Wavelength Range Substrate Material Retarder Material SPECIFICATIONS

All dimensionsininches Model LVR-100 dimensions ° C increase intemperature. 300 mJ/cm 500 W/cm 0° Cto 50°C ± 0.005in. ≤ ≤ 40-20 scratch anddig ≤ custom ranges are available 0 to ~30 nmto 450-1800 nm(specify) fused silica Optical qualitysynthetic Nematic liquidcrystal 0.5%at normalincidence 2arc min λ /4 λ /2 2 λ 2 , CW , 10ns,visible /2 www.meadowlark.com Fig. 4-10 Alldimensionsininches • • • • Key Bene For temperature control option,append-TSC to part number. spectralregionwhenplacingyourorder.Please specify I :90-15 m IR3:1200-1700nm IR2:900-1250nm IR1:650- 950 nm VIS:450-700nm four spectral regions: We offer standard liquidcrystal variable retarders to cover ORDERING INFORMATION Precision non-mechanical retardation control Usable from 450to 1800nm Temperature control options Computer control capability Diameter,

D (in.) Models LVR-200 andLVR-300 dimensions .003 .3LRC -100 1.23 0.37 3.00 2.00 1.00 .007 .5LVR -200 LVR -100 0.75 1.23 0.70 0.37 3.00 2.00 1.00 Without Attached Compensator (30nmto ﬁ With Attached Compensator (0nmto •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts Aperture, CA Clear .010 LRC -300 LRC -200 1.00 0.75 1.60 0.70 .010 LVR -300 1.00 1.60 (in.) Thickness t (in.) λ / 2) λ / 2) Number Part Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 51

mized mized ti on of on of ti (in degrees) for crossed for (in degrees) θ enuator, op enuator, tt max )] T θ ance as a func tt ) = 1/2 [1 - cos( θ is the maximum transmittance when retardance is when retardance is the maximum transmittance ts ﬁ T( Unpolarized Transmi Unpolarized

max High contrast ratio High contrast capability control Computer intensity of light control Continuous input and unpolarized 550 nm, with polarizers for Fig. 4-13 A Variable LC for wavelength Key Bene Key • • • Meadowlark Optics Liquid Crystal (LC) Variable Attenuator offersAttenuator Variable Optics Liquid CrystalMeadowlark (LC) Our attenuator of light intensity. continuous control real-time, compensator) (with attached Retarder Variable consists of an LC polarizers. linear crossed between operating is maximized by light transmission polarizers, crossed With from retardance half-wave to achieve the correct voltage applying rotates operation Half-wave 4-11. in figure the LC cell as shown passed so that light is the incoming polarization by 90°, direction is obtained with Minimum transmission bypolarizer. the second (or a whole number of) waves. zero at operating the retarder amplitude voltage AC as the applied decreases Transmission The relationship retardance). to zero-waves (half- increases and retardance T transmittance between by: polarizer is given configuration T where transmittance 4-12 shows Figure (or 180º). one-half wave exactly as a function of applied voltage. is dependent upon properties of the LC Maximum transmission as the polarizers as well system. Retarder used in your Variable Attenuator Variable of an LC the transmission 4-13 shows Figure An polarizers. 550 nm with crossed use at optimized for illumination. unpolarizedis used for light source (obtained maximum transmission is defined as the ratio Contrast divided bythe minimum operation) with the LC cell at half-wave Values waves). (obtained with the LC cell at zero transmission a single 4-14) can be obtained for 1000:1 (see figure exceeding for levels by optimizing the applied voltage wavelength a minimum guarantee We minimum and maximum transmission. wavelength. specified of 500:1 at your ratio contrast Linear Output Polarized www.meadowlark.com enuator design enuator tt Exit Polarizer s ˚ ance of Liquid Crystal tt 45 Variable Retarder f Compensated Liquid Crystal linear with crossed enuator tt Polarizer Entrance Normalized transmi Normalized Standard Liquid Crystal Variable A Variable Liquid Crystal Standard

Input

Unpolarized Fig. 4-12 Variable A Variable a single wavelength at polarizers linear polarizers uses crossed

Fig. 4-11 Liquid Crystal Variable Attenuators Variable Crystal Liquid [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 52 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Liquid Crystal Variable Attenuators Fig. 4-14 A accurate andrepeatable intensitycontrol for your application. pages 59-61offer theprecision toobtain waveforms necessary Our BasicController andFour on ChannelInterface described polarizers. forPlease seethesectiononPolarizers aselectionofavailable dichroicappropriate polarizers, canalsobemanufactured. Custom devicesfor nearinfrared applications, utilizing Variable are combinedwiththree Retarders polarizers. custom double attenuators. Inthisdesign, two LiquidCrystal high contrast ratios, inexcess of5000:1, canbeachieved with transmittance values exceed 90%atmostwavelengths. Very linearly inputbeamandacalcitepolarizer, polarized light transmittance andincrease damage threshold. With a tomaximize calciteorbeamsplittingpolarizers high efficiency A LiquidCrystal Variable Attenuator canbeconfigured with Contrast Ratio 10,000 1,000

100 Typical Contrast Ra 10 tt enuator op ti mized at 550 nm ti o ofaLiquidCrystal Variable www.meadowlark.com placing yourorder. Please specify operating wavelength Please specify ORDERING INFORMATION Recommended Safe Operating Limit Temperature Range Diameter Tolerance Reflectance (persurface) Beam Deviation Surface Quality (at 632.8nm) Transmitted Wavefront Distortion Contrast Ratio NearInfared 2 NearInfared 1 Visible Wavelength Range Substrate Material Polarizer Material Retarder Material Custom sizes are available. SPECIFICATIONS Diameter, D (in.) .007 .5LVA -200- LVA -100- 0.75 1.23 0.70 0.37 3.00 2.00 1.00 •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] Aperture,CA Clear .010 LVA -300- 1.00 1.60 (in.) λ innanometers when polarizers) 1 W/cm 0° Cto +50°C ±0.005 in. ≤ ≤ 40-20 scratch anddig ≤ 500:1 at singlewavelength 900-1550 nm 700-900 nm 450-700 nm fused silica synthetic quality Optical Dichroic polymer Birefringent polymer Nematic liquidcrystal with 0.5%at normalincidence 2arc min λ /4 (eachcomponent) Thickness t (in.) 2 , CW(withdichroic Number Part λ λ λ

Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 53 input beam on of a linearly polarized ti ts ﬁ High power capability High power purity High polarization capability control Computer rotation polarization 180 degree light of linearly polarized rotation Continuous Key Bene Key • • • • • linear purity of the rotated Polarization is defined as the ratio A selected rotation component to the orthogonal component. temperature. and operating is very to applied voltage sensitive polarizationis better than purity ratio) (or contrast On average, 150:1. voltages the required test data including provide We corresponding to polarization orientations approximately from These in 10° increments. 140° rotation -40° to approximately specified your for temperature taken at room are measurements wavelength. Liquid Crystal Standard Rotators supplied Polarization are Input polarization must be direction without an input polarizer. Please call if you performance. optimum aligned for precisely an input polarizer. require www.meadowlark.com on Rotator showing complete rota complete showing on Rotator ti Polariza on of Liquid Crystal ti

Opera

A quarter-wave retarder converts elliptical polarization formed retarder A quarter-wave to linear polarization. Retarder Variable by the Liquid Crystal change angle is equal to one-half the retardance The rotation Retarder. Variable the Liquid Crystalfrom amount of rotation. Response time depends upon the desired times. response longer have Small rotations Our Liquid Crystal the rotates Rotator continuously Polarization polarized linearly polarization of a monochromatic, direction Variable Our design consists of a Liquid Crystal input beam. quarter-wave polymer combined with a zero-order Retarder axis of the liquid crystalThe fast is variable retarder retarder. oriented retarder. axis of the quarter-wave at 45° to the slow polarized to the quarter-wave input must be parallel Linearly by electri- is achieved rotation Polarization axis. slow retarder Variable of the Liquid Crystal the retardance controlling cally motion. mechanical eliminating any Retarder, Liquid Crystal Polarization Rotators Polarization Crystal Liquid Fig. 4-15 [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 54 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Liquid Crystal Polarization Rotators Recommended Safe Operating Limit Temperature Range Diameter Tolerance Reflectance (persurface) Beam Deviation Surface Quality Distortion (at 632.8nm) Transmitted Wavefront Transmittance Polarization Purity Polarization Rotation Wavelength Substrate Material Retarder Material SPECIFICATIONS 500 W/cm 0° Cto 50°C ±0.005 in. ≤ ≤ 40-20 scratch anddig 300 mJ/cm ≤ > 92%withpolarized input 150:1 average 180° ormore 450-1800 nm(specify) fused silica synthetic quality Optical Birefringent polymer Nematic liquidcrystal with 0.5%at normalincidence 2arc min

λ /4 2 2 , CW , 10ns,visible www.meadowlark.com for acustom quote. Custom sizes areavailable.Pleasecontact ourSalesDepartment placing yourorder. Please specify operatingwavelength Please specify ORDERING INFORMATION Diameter, D (in.) .016 .0LPR-300- LPR-200- 1.00 LPR-100- 0.75 1.23 1.60 0.70 0.37 3.00 2.00 1.00 •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] Aperture, CA Clear (in.) λ innanometers when Thickness t (in.) Number Part λ λ λ Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 55

Part Part Number t (in.) Thickness guration is twisted nematic. is twisted nematic. guration Wavelength (in.) 1.60 1.00 - 300 LCS Clear Wavelength Aperture,CA ts ﬁ Transmission for Polarized Light Polarized for Transmission 1.002.003.00 0.37 0.70 1.23 0.75 - 100 LCS - 200 LCS D (in.)

Diameter, Diameter, 450 500 550 600 650 700 450 500 550 600 650 700 450 500 550 600

High Contrast motion No mechanical capability control Computer No vibration

85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50

85 80 75 70 Transmission(%) 65 Polarized 60 55 50 Polarized Transmission (%) Transmission Polarized ORDERING INFORMATION INFORMATION ORDERING Key Bene Key • • • • This liquid crystal alternative to shutter is a vibration-free use in for convenient is especially shutter that mechanical crystalThe liquid between switches polarized light beams. the input polarizationa state that rotates by90° with no in the input and a state that makes no change applied voltage is The applied voltage applied. polarization volts with 8 to 10 3040 or 3050 liquid crystal as supplied by 4010, our AC 2 kHz crystalThe liquid conﬁ drivers. polarizers visible dichroic with integral The shutter is supplied of 450 nm to 700 to range the wavelength that function over 1,000:1 over of better than ratio contrast an average provide aperture Shutters sizes and with larger range. this wavelength on a available are to 2.1 microns coverage with wavelength special requirements. Please call with your custom basis. Fig. 4-16 www.meadowlark.com ° , CW 2 incidence angle with some /2 1,000:1 λ 5 milliseconds 0.4 milliseconds

0.5% at normal incidence 0.5% at min 5 arc 450-700 nm 25° ≤ Twisted nematic Twisted quality synthetic Optical fused silica and dig 60-40 scratch ≤ ≤ 1 W/cm 0.48 — 0.52 inches horizontal on input face, Vertical on output face +80° C -20° C to +50° C 0° C to Dichroic Polymer Dichroic reduction above 10 above reduction

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Closed to open: Closed to iiiiii SPECIFICATIONS Transmitted Wavefront Transmitted 632.8 nm) (at Distortion Wavelength Range Wavelength (average) Ratio Contrast Angular Field of View Surface Quality Surface Liquid crystal configuration Liquid crystal Substrate Material Substrate Material Polarizer (per surface) Reflectance Beam Deviation Safe Recommended Limit Operating Switching Time (10% to 90%) at room temperature room 90%) at Time (10% to Switching Polarization Direction Polarization temperature Storage temperature Operating Glass Thickness Open to closed Open to

NEW High Contrast Optical Shutter Optical Contrast High HHHHH [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 56 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers process. (c)ASwift Liquid Crystal deviceafter alignment material. showingrandom alignment inthebulkof (b)Apolymerstabilized liquidcrystal device response. regions offast andslowelectro-optical Fig. 4-17 devices. enhance theelectro-optical performance ofourliquidcrystal process inwhichfabrication apolymer network isutilizedto devices.liquid crystal Meadowlark Opticshasdeveloped anovel physics andtheirpotentialapplication inrobust, fast-switching extensively isthepastdecadesbecauseoftheirintriguing polymer have beenstudied compositematerials Liquid crystal Swi critical. devices are perfect for applicationswhere response timeis microseconds inbothdirections ournew “Swift” LiquidCrystal formulation. With switching speedsoflessthana150 devices utilizesanew polymer bulkstabilized liquidcrystal Meadowlark Opticsnext variable generation liquidcrystal Swift LiquidCrystal Principles

ft LiquidCrystal Technology

(a)

Typical bulkliquidcrystal device showingboth (b) (c) (a) www.meadowlark.com sources. attachment tooneofournew highvoltage power supply A coaxialcable withmatingconnectorisprovided for easy shutter devicesare provided withtemporal performance data. performance datafor your specifi retardervariable issuppliedwithretardance voltage versus to accommodatethosedifferences. Each Swiftliquidcrystal temperature andwavelength changes, canbecalibrated they these devices, devices, likeallliquidcrystal are affected by used throughout thevisible andnearinfrared region. While technologies canbe Meadowlark OpticsSwiftliquidcrystal across theclear oflessthan20nm. aperture moleculesandgives aretardance uniformitythe liquidcrystal assembly process ensures excellent uniformity inalignmentof is performed thecellislocked intoplaceandsealed. This (Figure material 4-17(c)).bulk liquidcrystal Oncethisstep a mechanical process onthedevicesthataligns shearing alignmenttooccurMeadowlark Opticsperforms liquid crystal no particular “fast-axis” for functionalretarder devices. For material; isalignedinrandom fashion with theliquidcrystal alignment inthebulk, such thatafterinfi device isnow there are nomeansfor uniform liquidcrystal gap from theswitching speed. The challenge tothistypeof inthebulkessentially material decouplesthecell stabilizing the bulkofcell(Figure 4-17(b)). The additionofapolymer material. This allows for alignmentsurface effects throughout allow for amultitudeofalignmentsurfaces for theliquidcrystal introduction ofsmallamountspolymer intothebulk material retarder variable cell.liquid crystal To overcome thiseffect the device. Figure 4-17(a)defi This secondresponse dominatesinatypicalbulkliquidcrystal ontheorder ofmilliseconds. inthebulkofmaterial occurs order ofmicroseconds and(2)arelatively slow response that close tothealignmentlayer very effect thatoccurs andisonthe of thecellhastwo components, fast surface (1)avery layer (See Figure 4-6). The actualtemporal electro-optical response andthealignmentlayer material ofthecell bulk liquidcrystal the thickness. ofthe This effect isduetomolecularproperties As cellgapincreases, switching timesincrease asthesquare of andare afunctionofcellgap.crystal have response timesthatare governed thebulkofliquid by Typical devices, bulkliquidcrystal such asMeadowlarks’LCVR, •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] nes thesetwo regions for astandard ed wavelength, whileour ltration ofpolymer Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Liquid Crystal Controllers 57 Part Part Number 2) / λ 2) / λ /2 λ t (in.) s (zero to half-wave) to s (zero zero) to s (half-wave Thickness μ μ /2 λ /2 150:1, minimum λ 2 arc min 2 arc

175 175 0.5% at normal incidence 0.5% at ± 0.005 in. 80° C -20° C to 55° C 0° C to VIS: 450-700 nm IR 1: 650-950 nm IR 2: 900-1250 nm IR 3: 1200-1700 nm 40-20 scratch and dig 40-20 scratch ≤ ~50 nm to nm to ~50 0 to available are ranges custom ≤ Polymer stabilized nematic nematic stabilized Polymer liquid crystals quality synthetic Optical fused silica ≤ ≤ ≤ (in.) 0.70 0.75 - 200 SRC Clear Aperture,CA

ts With Attached Compensator (0 nm to (0 nm to Compensator With Attached ﬁ Without Attached Compensator (50 nm to (50 nm to Compensator Without Attached 2.002.00 0.70 0.75 - 200 SVR Sub-millisecond response times response Sub-millisecond capability control Computer options control Temperature 1800 nm 450 to from Performance Diameter, D (in.) Diameter, ORDERING INFORMATION INFORMATION ORDERING SPECIFICATIONS Diameter Tolerance Diameter Temperature Storage Temperature Operating Range Wavelength Surface Quality Surface Beam Deviation: Please specify spectral region when placing your order. Contrast Ratio Contrast Range Retardance Without compensator With compensator Wavefront Transmitted 632.8 nm) (at Distortion Retarder Material Retarder Material Substrate Time (10-90%) Response Reflectance (per surface): Reflectance Key Bene Key • • • • of liquid crystal generation variableretarders utilizes The next With liquid crystal bulk stabilized polymer a new formulation. in both than a 150 microseconds speeds of less switching (SLCVR) Retarder Variable Crystal the Swift Liquid directions time is critical. response applications where for is perfect Vrms) 13 kHz (< 100 voltage a high The SLCVRs require by our amplitude that is provided of adjustable wave square A temperature 62). (see page Interface Voltage D3060HV High SLCVRs for option can be added to our sensing and control thermalThe temperature. of the operating controlling accurate outside the substrate, to the SLCVR directly sensor is attached a variety of for available Custom SLCVRs are aperture. clear applications. www.meadowlark.com s) s) μ P 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 Time ( Voltage (V) Voltage Time ( Time u q Time Plot Response Liquid Crystal vs Voltage Retardance Liquid Crystal ft ft Li ttttt Swi Swi

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Retardance (nm) Retardance

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Fig. 4-19 Swift Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders Variable Crystal Liquid Swift SSSS [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 58 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Fig. 4-21 Fig. 4-20 intheopenstate SwiftS Optical Shutters NEW ORDERING INFORMATION

Normalized Response Polarized Transmission (%) w Diameter, D(in.) 0.2 Normalized0.4 Response0.6 0.8 1.0 Polarized Transmission(%) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 0 i 5 0 5 0 5 500 450 400 350 300 250 f 5 0 5 0 5 700 650 600 550 500 450 Swi Polarized transmission oftheSwi .007 .5SCS-200 0.75 0.70 2.00 t 300 4005009001100 13001500 O ft LC Response TimePlot p t Aperture,CA Wavelength [nm] Wavelength [nm] Clear (in.) Time ( Time ( Time 0 0010 2010 401500 1400 1300 1200 1100 1000 900 μ P s) s) Thickness t (in.) ft Op ti cal Shu www.meadowlark.com Number Part tt er on acustombasis. Pleasecallwithyour specialrequirements. sizes andwithwavelength coverage to2.1microns are available contrast ratio ofbetterthan200:1. withlarger Shutters aperture wavelength range of450nmto700provide anaverage with integral thatfunctionover dichroic the visible polarizers wavelengths above 700nmisnegligible. The shutterissupplied increases monotonically 10%lossat450nm. toabout Scatterat lengths. 1%at700nmbut The lightlossfrom thishazeisabout layer inthebluehaziness intheliquidcrystal andgreen wave- this temperature control capability. show some These shutters shutter isheatedto40°C. The D3060HVcontroller provides close. The switching timesare lessthan50microseconds ifthe time is125microseconds toopenand125microseconds to millisecond switching for bothopeningandclosing. Switching toprovide sub- uses aSwiftLCcellbetween crossed polarizers forchanical shutters useinhigh- speedshutterapplications. It shutterisavibration-free tome- alternative This liquidcrystal • • • • Key Bene Opento closed Operating Limit Recommended Safe 40 Switching Time(10%to 90%)at Beam Deviation Operating temperature Storage temperature Polarization Direction Glass Thickness Distortion (at 632.8nm) Transmitted Wavefront Reflectance (persurface): Surface Quality Switching Time(10%to 90%)at room temperature Angular FieldofView Contrast Ratio (average) Wavelength Range Polarizer Material Substrate Material Retarder Material SPECIFICATIONS ° Closed to open: C High speed Noiseless Computer control capability No mechanical motion ﬁ •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] ts 1 W/cm ≤ -10° Cto +60°C -20° Cto +70°C on outputface Vertical oninputface, horizontal 0.48 —0.52inches ≤ 60-40 scratch anddig 50 150 Dichroic Polymer 300 mJ/cm ≤ ± 5° 450-700 nm silica Optical qualitysynthetic fused liquid crystals Polymer stabilized nematic 5arc min

0.5%at normalincidence 150 λ 200:1 μ /2 μ μ s s s incidence angle 2 , CW 2 , 10ns,visible Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 59 10 V output ≥ ble ti 0.5 – 150 Hz 50% duty cycle DC – 500 Hz, variable duty DC – 500 Hz, variable allowable cycle 7.0 x 5.0 x 3.0 in. Compliant 0 to 20 V rms, maximum 0 to < 10 V output ± 1 mV for ± 10 mV for wave 2 kHz ac square TTL compa 5 V maximum ± 5 mV dc, maximum 100 – 240 V ac 47 – 63 Hz 500 mA on) on) ti ti on (input) on ti on ti Basic LC ControllerBasic LC D4010 Convenient, stand-alone bench top operation bench top stand-alone Convenient, all standard with - compatible Versatile liquid and other nematic devices Optics LC Meadowlark specifications listed devices with compatible crystal settings and frequency voltage memory retains System down power at readouts and frequency LED voltage digital green, Bright required with no adapters SMA and BNC outputs, function and restore save and frequency Voltage up in minutes. Sets functionality. Out-of-the-box protected. Fuse operation. low voltage Safe, use. to Easy Compact. operation. Intuitive and CE compliant ROHS liquid crystal Low DC bias protects SPECIFICATIONS External Frequency (modula Frequency External Dimensions (W x D x H) External CE Compliance Output Voltage Resolu Voltage Waveform Drive Fundamental Modula External Output Bias Requirements Power (modula Frequency Internal ORDERING INFORMATION INFORMATION ORDERING Two year and three year extended warranty options available, warranty year and three year extended Two your Meadowlark Optics sales engineer please contact Model D4010 comes equipped with its own internalModel D4010 comes equipped with its own modulation knob adjusts periodicThe Internal switching Frequency control. input allows An external settings. voltage the two between with other equipment. modulation to run synchronously is Retarder Variable Optics Liquid Crystal Meadowlark Each Using versus voltage. supplied with a plot of its actual retardance plot ensures and this retardance Controller Model D4010 your correlation. to voltage retardance accurate Key Benefits: Key • • • • • • • • • • •

www.meadowlark.com Error Voltage 1 Voltage Voltage 2 Voltage Voltage 2 Voltage Voltage 1 Voltage Voltage 2 Voltage 1.500 7.000 Model D4010 Frequency/Voltage 1 Frequency/Voltage Pulse Output Basic Liquid Crystal Controller

Internal Internal External

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Fig. 5-1 Also, system memory retains voltage and frequency settings at settings at system memory and frequency voltage retains Also, down. power manual adjustment of the Retarder, Variable a Liquid CrystalWith on 4-8 Figure the device retardance. amplitude controls voltage and voltage between the relationship 49 illustrates page retardance. selection easy and repeatable settings allow Independent voltage to modulate it is desirable Often, values. retardance of two quarter- between switching example, For states. the two between polarized light linearly changes retardance and half-wave wave easy A manual toggle allows to either left or right circular. states. two between switching

Meadowlark Optics is excited to announce the release of the of the to announce the release Optics is excited Meadowlark This Liquid Crystal Basic our new Controller. Model D4010, single liquid crystal with any (LC) driver is designed to integrate as offered Optics LC device currently Meadowlark (standard) nematic Liquid Crystal as any with the well compatible device readouts and frequency Digital LED voltage specifications listed. settings and voltage frequency Now, added convenience. provide the adjustment knob. pressing by stored simply can be easily Basic Liquid Crystal Controller Crystal Liquid Basic BBBB [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 60 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers Fig. 5-2 cells. square wave drivefor four separate nematicliquidcrystal 2 to allow independentcontrol oftheamplitude The D3040BasiccomeswithCellDRIVE 3000 Basicsoftware either Basicor Advanced Package options. devicesatonetimeandisavailable in nematic liquidcrystal precision computer control ofuptofour Meadowlark Optics The Four ChannelDigitalInterface isdesignedfor high for upto four Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders Four ChannelDigital Interface

Basic D3040operation enablescomputer control www.meadowlark.com kHz to save/restore allCellDRIVEsettingsto/from afile. points intheCellDRIVEgenerated waveforms andtheability to outputasyncpulseonfront panelconnectoratdesired effect waveforms. Additional functionsinclude thecapability sinusoidal, square, triangle, sawtooth andtransient nematic nector orspecificCellDRIVEgenerated waveforms including anexternalby DCanalogsignalsuppliedtoafront panelcon- amplitude ofthe2kHzsquare wave outputtobedriveneither and control ononechannel. The Advanced Package allows the Advanced software for andcapability temperature monitoring 3100 the BasicPackage plus theaddedfeatures oftheCellDRIVE The D3050 Advanced Package includes allthefunctionalityof Fig. 5-3 external modulation signalviaaconvenient front panel connection • • • • • • Key Benefits: IncludesNational Instruments LabVIEW™Virtual Independent control ofvoltage levels onfour Microsoft® HyperTerminal configuration fileincluded Compactandsimpleto use codeexamples C++ including.dlllibraries or RS232 interface USB Instrument drivers to interface withcustom software channels to 1mVresolution

Advanced D3050operation can accommodate an •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] Liquid Crystal Polarizers Retarders Mounti ng Hardware Liquid Crystal Devices Controllers 61 D3040 Controller Unit D3040 Controller User Manual USB cables and RS232 cable power supply and Power CellDRIVE 3000 Basic Software virtual LabVIEW™ Instruments National input Unit with external D3050 Controller panel connectors front output and sync User Manual USB cables and RS232 cable control Temperature cable interface LC-Controller cable supply and power Power and control monitoring Temperature CellDRIVE Software 3100 Advanced LabVIEW virtual Instruments National driver instruments information. more

Basic package includes: Basic package • • • • • driver • instruments includes: package Advanced • • • • • • • • • NOTES: to be upgraded may 1. D3040 Controllers also includes This upgrade D3050 specifications. CellDRIVE a Sales Engineer for 3100. Please contact devices with of Meadowlark LC generations 2. Previous with the TSC not be compatible TSC option may Controllers LC of Meadowlark generations 3. Previous option in the D3050. assistance. and replacement Adapters SMB cables. used BNC to for a Sales Engineer Please contact available. are cables is only available and control monitoring 4. Temperature device with a liquid crystal on the D3050 and requires (TSC) option. sensing and control the temperature www.meadowlark.com s pulse, user μ external modulation modulation external input (0-5 V) sinusoidal triangle square sawtooth effect nematic transient heating/passiveActive within ± 1° C of to cooling point nominal set 1 TTL, specified phase 2 kHz ac square wave 2 kHz ac square 0-10 V rms mV 1 (0.155 mV using LabVIEW™ subroutines) < 5 mV USB or RS232 length 2 m cable SMA-SMB, 100 – 240 V ac 47 – 63 Hz 500 mA compliant 9.50 x 6.25 x 1.50 in. 2 lbs. Basic D3040 Advanced Advanced D3050 version 6.1 or higher version

SMA to SMB CablesSMA to SMA-SMB

ADVANCED PACKAGE ONLY PACKAGE ADVANCED SPECIFICATIONS Modulation Waveforms Modulation (one channel Control Temperature only) Output Sync Requirements Minimum System II class processor • PC with Pentium • 32 MB RAM drive • CD ROM space drive • 20 MB hard Port COM • USB or RS232 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista • Windows™ requires Library • Use of LabVIEW Instrument LabVIEW Fundamental Drive Waveform Drive Fundamental Modulation Amplitude Modulation Resolution Modulation DC Offset Interface: Communications Connections Controller Cell to LC Requirements Power CE Compliance Dimensions (L x W x H) Weight ORDERING INFORMATION INFORMATION ORDERING

Two year and three year extended warranty options available, warranty year and three year extended Two your Meadowlark Optics sales engineer please contact Four Channel Digital Interface Digital Channel Four [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • • (303) [email protected] Liquid Crystal 62 Controllers Liquid Crystal Devices Mounti ng Hardware Retarders Polarizers TwoT ChannelHighVoltage Interface to/from afile. waveforms tosave/restore andtheability allCellDRIVEsettings connector atdesired pointsintheCellDRIVEgenerated include tooutputasyncpulseonfront panel thecapability transient nematiceffect waveforms. Additional functions waveforms including sinusoidal, square, triangle, sawtooth and to afront panelconnectororspecificCellDRIVEgenerated wave anexternal outputtobedriveneitherby signalsupplied Advanced Package allows theamplitudeof13kHzsquare temperature andcontrol ononechannel. monitoring The the high-speedSwiftLCdevices. Also included for iscapability of theCellDRIVE3100 Advanced software, butisoptimizedfor devices. CellDRIVE3100HVsoftware includes allthefeatures for SwiftLC D3050 plusthehighvoltage necessary circuitry The D3060HVPackage includes allthefunctionalityof devicesatonetime. Optics SwiftLCliquidcrystal high precision computer control ofuptotwo Meadowlark The Two ChannelHigh Voltage DigitalInterface isdesignedfor NEW ORDERING INFORMATION w • • CellDRIVE3100HVSoftware • Temperature monitoring andcontrol • Power supplyandpower cable • LC-Controller interface cable • Temperature control cable • USBandRS232 cables • UserManual outputfront panelconnectors • D3060HVController Unitwithexternal inputandsync Package includes: National Instruments LabVIEWvirtualinstruments driver o ihVlaeCnrle D3060HV High Voltage Controller

ihVlaeCbeSwift LC Cable High Voltage Cable C ha n www.meadowlark.com • • • • • • Key Benefits: LabVIEW • UseofLabVIEWInstrument Library requires • Windows™ 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista • USBorRS232 COM Port • 20MBhard drive space • CDROM drive • 32MBRAM • PCwithPentium IIclassprocessor Minimum System Requirements Sync Output only) Temperature Control (onechannel Modulation Waveforms Weight Dimensions (LxWH) Safety Feature Power Requirements Connections cell toLC Controller Communications Interface DC Offset Modulation Resolution Modulation Amplitude Fundamental Drive Waveform SPECIFICATIONS IncludesNational Instruments LabVIEW™Virtual Independent control ofvoltage levels ontwo Microsoft® HyperTerminal configuration file Compactandsimpleto use codeexamples C++ (allrequired libraries included) or RS232 interface USB software Instrument drivers to interface withcustom channels to 10mVresolution included

version 6.1orhigher •(303) 833-4333• [email protected] specified phase TTL, 1 nominal set point cooling to within±1°Cof Active heating/passive transient nematic effect Sawtooth Square Triangle Sinusoidal (0-5 V) external modulation input 6 lbs. 10.50 x7.254.0in. Keyed Interlock Switch 2.5 A 47 –63Hz 100 –240Vac 2 mlength LEMO™ RFcable, USB orRS232 < 50mV subroutines) (1.55 mVusingLabVIEW™ 10 mV 0-100 Vrms 13 kHzacsquare wave μ s pulse,user Systems Liquid crystals provide the basis for our system level products, which are spati al light modulators, polarimeters and tunable ﬁ lters. These materials enable nonmechanical control of light through electrical manipulati on of the polarizati on. More speciﬁ cally nemati c liquid crystal variable retarders provide electrical control of retardati on and thus electrical control of:

1. Spati al distributi on of phase or intensity in our spati al light modulators, 2. Polarizati on dependent ti me modulati on of intensity in our polarimeters 3. Wavelength dependent transmission in our tunable ﬁ lters.

These systems are a natural extension of our experti se in polarizati on control to fulfi ll your needs for higher level functi ons in your laboratory or your systems. As with almost all our products these systems can be customized to meet your special requirements. Please call us if your requirements diff er from our published specifi cati ons.

[email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 63 Spatial Light Modulator Principles Meadowlark Optics award-winning Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs) provide precision retardance control for spatially varying Spatial Light Modulator Applications phase or amplitude requirements. Our SLMs consist of liquid Spatial Light Modulators are being used in a diverse crystal (LC) pixels, each independently addressed, acting as range of new applications including: separate variable retarders. These SLMs are easily incorporated • Microscopy into optical systems requiring programmable masks and variable • Imaging polarimetry input/output devices. Applications include correlation, • Optical data storage spectroscopy, data storage, ultrafast pulse shaping, optical • WDM gain flattening computing, beam steering and wavefront correction for active • Wavefront correction and adaptive optics. • Arbitrary pulse shaping • Optical transform masks Basic construction and operation of an SLM is similar to our • WDM add/drop modulators standard LC Variable Retarder described on pages 49-50. The • Multi-channel PMD correction

al Light al ITO transparent conductor is photolithographically patterned ti • Beam steering for live cell manipulation into individual electrodes, creating independently controllable • Holographic Displays Modulators Spa pixels. Standard SLM geometries are shown on page 65. • Cinematography Minimizing pixel spacing is critical to optimize performance • Optical Tweezers and resolution. Proprietary designs and techniques enable • Astronomical Observation Meadowlark Optics to offer tight interpixel spacing. Custom • Fluorescence Photomasking pixel configurations are possible. Amplitude Control

cal Filters cal Phase Control Spatial Light Modulators are also used for amplitude control or ti Spatial phase control or modulation is accomplished without modulation. Here, the SLM modifies the beam intensity, but also altering the intensity profile of an incident beam. Light linearly spatially alters the phase profile, which may be undesirable. polarized parallel to the extraordinary axis of the LC material is Correction is accomplished by using two spatial light phase modulated by the voltage applied across individual pixels. modulators in series. The first performs the necessary amplitude

Tunable Op Tunable An optical path difference between adjacent pixels, tunable to modulation, also introducing a phase change. The second SLM one full-wave, is easily accomplished, as shown in figure 6-1. restores the original, or desired phase relationship between pixels. Polarizers are optional with an amplitude SLM. These polarizers are both rotatable and removable from the SLM housing. The compact optical head is designed so that two units can be placed back-to-back, minimizing the path distance between modulators. Electrical connections exit one side of the optical head for convenience in handling and mounting. Polarimeters All Meadowlark Optics SLMs conveniently interface with Model D3128 Controller described on page 67.

Fig. 6-1 With phase modulati on, an opti cal path diﬀ erence of up to one full-wave is produced between adjacent pixels of the Spati al Light Modulators. The output intensity remains uniform.

64 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected] Spatial Light Modulators Key Beneﬁ ts • High transmission • Compact optical housing design • Computer controlled • Phase or amplitude modulation • Uses model D3128 SLM Controller

Meadowlark Optics Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs) consist of patterned arrays of independently controlled liquid crystal (LC) Spa variable retarders. Our high-resolution SLMs are electronically Modulators programmable and interface to our Model D3128 SLM Controller. ti Meadowlark Optics offers both linear and hexagonal pixel al Light geometries.

Hex Spatial Light Modulator Tunable Op Our two dimensional SLMs are designed for adaptive optics applications. A two dimensional array of Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders acts as a real time programmable phase mask for wavefront correction of a linear polarized source. ti cal Filters Unwanted aberration effects are removed by introducing the opposite phase shift through the Hex SLM. The most common applications involve high-resolution imaging where viewing through an aberrant medium is unavoidable. Examples include astronomical imaging with ground-based telescopes and medical imaging through body fluids. High-energy laser users also benefit from active phase compensation for beam profile

correction. Fig. 6-2 Hexagonal SLM pixel geometry Polarimeters

Linear Array Spatial Light Modulator The Linear SLM has a linear pixel array geometry. This system can be used to alter the temporal profile of femtosecond light pulses via computer control. Applications requiring these short pulses include analysis and quantum control of chemical events, optical communication and biomedical imaging. These SLMs find use in other applications including Hadamard spectroscopy, optical data storage and wavefront compensation.

Fig. 6-3 Linear SLM pixel geometry w = 98 um and d = 4 um

Custom Spatial Light Modulators are available.

[email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 65 Spatial Light Modulators

Top View End View 7.00 0.74

0.86

8-32 Mounting Holes 8-32 Mounting Holes

2.96 1/4"-20 Mounting Hole 1.24 1/4"-20 Mounting Hole 2.96 1.00 3.03 0.50

8-32 Mounting Holes 8-32 Mounting Holes

0.94 0.98 8-32 Mounting Holes on 4 inch centers 0.37 Side View al Light al ti

Modulators Cable Slot Spa 1.09 0.28

Fig. 6-4 Spati al Light Modulator Mechanical Drawing

SPECIFICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION cal Filters cal ti Retarder Material Nematic liquid crystal Name Pixel Version Part Number Substrate Material Optical quality synthetic Pixel Width (μm) Geometry fused silica 98μm x 4mm Phase SSP - 128P - λ Center Wavelength 450-1800 nm (specify) 1 x 128 linear Amplitude SSP - 128A - λ

Tunable Op Tunable Modulation Range Phase Hex - 127P - λ Phase (minimum) 1λ optical path difference Hexagonal 127 1mm across Amplitude 0-100% Amplitude Hex - 127A - λ Retardance Uniformity ≤ 2% rms variation over Please specify your operating wavelength λ in nanometers clear aperture when ordering. Transmitted Wavefront Two year and three year extended warranty options available, ≤ λ/4 Distortion (at 632.8 nm) please contact your Meadowlark Optics sales engineer Surface Quality 40-20 scratch and dig Polarimeters Beam Deviation ≤ 2 arc min Transmittance > 90% (without polarizers) Reflectance (per surface) ≤ 0.5% at normal incidence OPTIONAL POLARIZERS Wavelength Range Dimensions (L x W x H) 7.00 x 2.96 x 0.74 in. Type Part Number (nm) Recommended Safe 500 W/cm2, CW Visible 450 - 700 SDP - VIS Operating Limit 300 mJ/cm2, 10 ns, 532 nm Temperature Range 10° C to 45° C Near Infrared 1 775 - 890 SDP - IR1 Note that the D3128 is included with purchase of the SLM system, Near Infrared 2 890 - 1800 SDP - IR2 see page 67 for specifications

66 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected] Spatial Light Modulator Controller

Meadowlark Optics Spatial Light Modulator Controller allows for independent voltage control of up to 128 liquid crystal cells or pixels. The SLM Controller connects via USB cable to a Windows™ based computer. Supplied software allows for convenient setting of individual pixel retardance and for the programming of retardance profiles across a pixelated device. Custom software can be written using the included LabVIEW™ Virtual Instrument Library to allow for integration into custom Spa applications. Modulators ti al Light Tunable Op

ORDERING INFORMATION SPECIFICATIONS Item Output Channels Part Number Output Voltage 2 kHz ac square wave digitally adjustable 0-10 V rms SLM Controller 128 D3128 ti

Voltage Resolution 2.44 mV (12 bit) cal Filters Computer Interface USB Power Requirements 100-240 V ac 47-63 Hz 1 A Dimensions (L x W x H) 9.50 x 6.25 x 1.50 in. Weight 2 lbs.

Minimum System Requirements Polarimeters • PC with Pentium III class processor • 64 MB RAM • CD ROM drive • 40 MB hard drive space • USB Port • Windows™ 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista • Use of LabVIEW Instrument Library requires LabVIEW version 6.1 or higher Please note that the D3128 is included with purchase of the SLM system, see page 66 for specifications

[email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 67 Tunable Optical Filter Principles retarder as the waveplate enables the birefringence to be a function of the applied voltage. Thus by applying a different voltage, the location of the peaks can be moved and a filter can be tuned.

A single Lyot Stage is generally not particularly useful, but if several of them are stacked together, the free spectral range can be increased, while the pass band remains about the same. The following figure shows how many Lyot Stages can work in con- cert to diminish every peak except for the one of interest (top line). al Light al ti Modulators Spa

Meadowlark Optics Tunable Optical Filters facilitate spectral analysis of not only a collimated beam, but also more importantly an entire object. The Tunable Filter passes only a narrow bandwidth of light while blocking all others within the desig- nated spectral range. The pass band can be shifted to a new cal Filters cal ti color in the blink of an eye. This combination of pass band and speed is equivalent to thousands of dichroic or interference filters on hundreds of filter wheels. This enables the user to acquire images at thousands of different wavelengths in a short amount of time. Applications of Tunable Optical Filters include Tunable Op Tunable fluorescence microscopy, absorption microscopy, Raman microscopy and solar astronomy.

Tunable Optical Filter Basics Fig. 7-1 Example of multi -stage transmission behavior A Tunable Optical Filter works on the principle of polarization dispersion. Simply stated, when light passes through a waveplate (e.g. a liquid crystal variable retarder), it will be retarded Solc Stages, like Lyot Stages, are also useful in building Tunable by a certain number of waves. When light of a different wave- Filters. A Solc Stage consists of multiple waveplates at pre- Polarimeters length passes through the same waveplate, it will be retarded scribed angles between parallel (or crossed) polarizers. One by a different number of waves. advantage of using a Solc Stage over a Lyot Stage is that Solcs have a wider null and a narrower peak than a comparable Lyot. To illustrate this effect, consider a Lyot Stage. This Lyot Stage Therefore, when using stacks of Solc Stages to build a Tunable consists of two parallel (or crossed) polarizers placed around a Filter, it is possible to reduce the total number of stages needed. waveplate, which is oriented at 45 degrees to the polarizers as shown. Transmission through the Lyot Stage obeys the follow- Meadowlark Optics uses Lyot Stages, Solc Stages and other pro- ing equation, prietary types of stages to make Tunable Filters. This permits a Tunable Filter to have optimum peak transmission with a mini- T(λ) = T cos2(bt/λ) 0 mum of leakage.

where T(λ) is the transmission at wavelength λ , T 0 is the maximum peak transmittance, b is the waveplate birefringence and t is its thickness. The spectral response is shown in Fig 7-1 for a 1300 nm retarder as stage one. Using a liquid crystal variable

68 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected] Tunable Optical Filters

Standard Tunable Optical Filters Key Beneﬁ ts A Tunable Optical Filter consists of multiple liquid crystal variable • Broad tuning range retarders and polarizers protected in a temperature-controlled • Uniform clear aperture housing. Temperature control is important since the birefringence • High peak transmission of the liquid crystal variable retarders is a function of temperature • Multiple control interface options as well as voltage. Each liquid crystal cell that goes into the Tunable • Replace thousands of interference filters Filter is made to be highly uniform in retardance using our • Stable performance over wide ambient propriety manufacturing processes. This produces the best temperature range uniformity of transmission wavelength across the clear aperture. Spa Modulators VersaLight polarizers are generally used with remarkably low losses, FilterDRIVE software is provided. This software allows a user to ti producing a final filter with very high transmission. Additionally, input a desired wavelength value using a keyboard or mouse. al Light the polarizers have very wide fields of view and can accommodate Firmware serial commands are provided in the user’s manual for much higher flux than standard dichroic polarizers. those wishing to control tunable filters using their own custom The electronics controller supplies the appropriate voltages to software. each of the liquid crystal variable retarders and maintains the Our filter housings are designed to be easy to integrate into existing temperature of the housing. All of the calibration data for each optical systems. Mounting points are standard 8/32 threaded; and variable retarder is stored into memory on the electronics both apertures come with c-mount threaded aluminum mounts for Tunable Op controller. When commands are issued to the controller via USB easy attachment of optical components. and serial port; the calibration data are accessed and new voltages Below are sample transmission curves for our standard products, to each of the variable retarders are initiated simultaneously. specifications for our standard tunable filters are shown at the end To issue commands via USB or serial port from a computer, of this section; we also build custom filters. ti cal Filters

TransmissionTransmission Peaks for TOF-VISfor TOF-VIS TransmissionTransmission PeaksPeaks for TOF-LNIR for TOF-LNIR 7070 6060

6060 5050

5050 Polarimeters 4040

4040

3030 3030

Polarized Transmission (%) 20 20Polarized Transmission (%) 2020 Polarized Transmission (%) Polarized Transmission Polarized Transmission (%) Polarized Transmission 1010 1010

00 0 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 850 1050 1250 1450 1650 1850 400 500 600 700Wavelength (nm) 800 900 1000 1100 850 1050 1250 Wavelength 1450 (nm) 1650 1850

Fig. 7-2 Typical Filter curves for the TOF-VIS Fig. 7-3 Typical Filter curves for the TOF-LNIR

[email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 69 Tunable Optical Filters A. B. al Light al ti Document Veriﬁ cati on:

Modulators A. Ordinary Illuminati on Spa B. Through Filter

Solar Astronomy cal Filters cal ti

Fluorescence Microscopy Tunable Op Tunable Custom Tunable Opti cal Filters Other specifications include field of view, which defines the applicable half-cone angle from the optical axis for which the Meadowlark Optics excels at providing customized Tunable Filters filter performance is guaranteed. Thus the rays entering the for all kinds of applications. Whether you are doing astronomical Tunable Filter should be kept less than this angle. If this is not imaging, microscopy, or remote imaging, we can find a solution possible, the main result will be a decrease in the out-of-band that meets your needs. Since all components are made in-house, rejection. Out-of-band rejection is the measure of how much light, a wide range of customization is possible. Whether you would like which is not within the pass band, gets through the filter; it is a larger clear aperture, a narrower pass band, a wider field of view, usually desirable to have the out-of-band rejection as high as Polarimeters a variable pass band, or more, we can do it. When deciding on possible. Other specifications including the tuning accuracy of the specifications for a custom filter, it is important to remember that peak transmission can be optimized in Custom Filters. not all specs can be chosen completely independently. The most Meadowlark Optics has several proprietary and patent-pending important spec to consider is the finesse, f, which is defined as is designs for Tunable Filters. If you are interested in a Custom the ratio between the free spectral range (FSR) of the filter and the Tunable Filter with a very wide field-of-view, a variable FWHM (i.e. full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the pass band. Higher several different FWHMs possible at a particular wavelength) or finesses are achieved by adding more stages and thus more optics, any important specifications, please call us to discuss custom filter which leads to a more expensive filter and also to lower peak requirements. transmission. Peak transmission is another important specification. This is defined as the maximum transmission of the pass band curve. Applications: Additionally peak transmission is generally reported for light that • Remote Sensing is polarized along the transmission axis of the first polarizer in the • Solar Astronomy Tunable Filter. If unpolarized light is incident on the filter then the • Document Verification peak transmission will be half of the polarized peak transmission. • Hyperspectral Imaging The peak transmission is a function of the center wavelength of • Fluorescence Microscopy the pass band as well as the number of optics in the Tunable Filter. • Biological/Chemical Imaging This means that the peak transmission is highly dependent on the • Pharmacological Development optical finesse, since higher finesses have more optics and hence • Chromographic Analysis more absorptive elements. • Filter wheel replacement

70 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected] Tunable Optical Filters

2.25"

4.00" 4.00" 4.00" 0.72" DB-25

C-Mount Thread

C-mount ThreadsThread

0.24" 0.31" 0.31" 0.24"

Top View Spa 0.97" Modulators

5.44" 1.40" ti al Light Flattened Chord 0.97" Front View 1.40"

0.75" Flattened Flattened Chord chord Front View

8-32 Thread Tunable Op

0.413" 0.413" Bottom View

Fig 7-4 Tunable Opti cal Filter Mechanical Drawing ti cal Filters

SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING INFORMATION Standard Filters Custom Filters Design Space TOF-1075 Part Number TOF-VIS TOF-NIR (requires specification (custom example) tradeoffs) Wavelength Range 420-1100 nm 850-1976 nm 350-2500 nm 1071-1078 nm Polarimeters Clear Aperture Diameter 20 mm 20 mm 5-100 mm 20 mm Full Width at Half Max 5 nm @ 550 nm 6 nm @ 1300 nm 0.1 to 100 nm 0.2 nm @ 1075 nm (FWHM) (increases with λ) Polarized Peak Transmission 5-60% 10-55% 80% max (based on design) 56% Tuning Resolution 0.1 nm 0.1 nm ~ 2% FWHM 0.001 nm Tuning Accuracy FWHM/10 FWHM/10 Based on design FWHM/10 Field of View (Half Cone Angle) 6° 3° Based on design 3° Switching Speed < 100 ms < 100 ms 10 to 500 ms < 100 ms Temperature Range 10°C - 35°C 10°C - 35°C 10°C - 35°C 0°C - 35°C Out-of-Band Blocking > OD2 90-264 V ac Power Requirements 47- 63 Hz 2A Controller Dimensions (L x W x H) 9.50 x 6.25 x 1.50 inches Controller Weight 2 lbs. Minimum Systems Requirements • PC with Pentium II class processor • 32 MB RAM • CD ROM drive • 20 MB hard drive space • USB or RS232 COM Port • Windows™ 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista • Use of LabVIEW Instrument Library requires LabVIEW version 6.1 or higher

[email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 71 Polarimeters

Applications: • Ellipsometry • Test and Measurement • Materials Characterization • Spectroscopic Applications • Telecom Device Manufacturing • Pharmaceutical Development and QC • Stokes Vector Analysis

PolarView 3000 User Interface Software Features: • Data Averaging

al Light al • Stokes Parameters ti • Polarization Ellipse Modulators Spa • Degree of Polarization • Continuous Save To File • Continuous Chart display Option Meadowlark Optics has a longstanding reputation for precision • Poincaré Sphere with 2D Projections polarization control and metrology. Our line of user-friendly • Continuous Tracking On Poincaré Sphere Polarimeters provides this same high accuracy and reliability in an easy to use instrument, suitable for manufacturing and Polarimeter Package includes: laboratory applications.

cal Filters cal • Temperature Controlled LC Polarimeter Optical Head ti These Polarimeters are compact, state-of-the-art systems with • D3000 Digital Electronic Controller convenient computer control that accurately measures Stokes • PolarView 3000 software installation CD Parameters 10 times per second that quantify the State of • User Manual Polarization (SOP) and then graphically displays this state on the • USB and optics head cables Tunable Op Tunable Poincaré Sphere, Polarization Ellipse, or running chart. It • Power supply and Power cable contains no spinning waveplates, motors, or other moving parts • Calibration at up to three wavelengths included to wear or cause vibrations. Patented, proprietary algorithms (Storage in memory of up to 12 wavelengths possible) provide high accuracy and calibration versatility. Two models • LabView™ Virtual Instrument Library for Polarimeter offer calibrated polarization measurement over the wavelength ranges 450 nm to 1100 nm and 900 nm to 1700 nm. Meadowlark • One year of software support and upgrades Optics Polarimeters are computer-controlled with USB interface • One year warranty for defects in materials and workmanship for increased measurement rate and convenience. Polarimeters

72 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected] Polarimeters

Key Beneﬁ ts SPECIFICATIONS • Compact Wavelength Ranges (nm) • No moving parts Visible 450-1100 • Stokes Vector Accuracy better than 1% Near Infrared 900-1700 • Polarization state tracking Max Absolute Degree of ≤ 1% • Software Instrument Library Polarization Error

• Fiber and free space versions Wavelength Range for Calibration ± 3 nm • User-friendly graphical interface Accuracy • Visible and near infrared versions Spa

Measurement Frequency 10 Hz Modulators

Resolution 0.001 of a Stokes Parameter ti ORDERING INFORMATION al Light Maximum Operating Temperature 40° C Wavelength Range Version Part Number (nm) Optical Head Dimensions 2.83 x 1.75 x 1.75 in. Minimum Optical Power to 10 μW sensitivity 450-1100 VisiblePMI - VIS maintain accuracy can be increased to 1 μW 900-1700 Near InfraredPMI - NIR by special request Power Requirements 100 – 240 V ac Tunable Op 47 – 63 Hz 500 mA Optional Accessories: Input Aperture 2 mm • Eigenstate Generator Set* ti • Fiber optic cable adapter These specifications describe performance at 23 ± 3° C ambient cal Filters - Visible temperature. - Near Infrared Minimum System Requirements: • Angle-polished fiber collimator adapter • PC with Pentium II class processor • Calibration at additional wavelengths • Windows™ 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista • CD ROM drive * The Eigenstate Generator Set enables precise • 20 MB hard drive space recalibration of your Polarimeter. • 32 MB RAM • USB Port Polarimeters See page 74 for additional information. • Use of LabVIEW™ Instrument Library requires LabVIEW version 6.1 or newer full development system. system. Custom versions are available. Two and three year extended warranty options are available, please contact your Meadowlark Optics Sales Engineer.

1.75 2.73

2mm 0.83 0.875

1.769 1.769 Tapped 8-32 Mounting Hole Locations Mounting Holes on 0.909 Centerline of Head

0.50 0.865 1.00

Front

Fig. 8-1 Polarimeter Mechanical Dimensions [email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 73 Eigenstate Generator Set

Calibration Stokes SOP Polarizer Waveplate Sequence Vector Description Orientation Orientation

Step 1 (1,1,0,0) Horizontal Removed

Step 2 (1,-1,0,0) Vertical Removed

Step 3 (1,0,1,0) +45° Removed

Step 4 (1,0,-1,0) -45° Removed

Step 5 (1,0,0,1) Right Circular al Light al ti Step 6 (1,0,0,-1) Left Circular Modulators Spa

Fig.8-2 Polarimeter calibrati on is greatly simpliﬁ ed by the Eigenstate Generator Set sequence outlined above Applications: • Ellipsometry • Polarization Control • Polarization Analysis

cal Filters cal • Calibration Accessory for PMI Series Polarimeters ti

Meadowlark Optics Eigenstate Generator Set is a tool which produces six polarization eigenstates: linear polarized light at angles

Tunable Op Tunable of 0, 90, +45, -45 degrees as well as circular right handed and circular left-handed polarized light. These states are created by using a precision dichroic linear polarizer in a black housing and a precision quarter waveplate in a blue housing. The housings are CNC machined so that the accuracy of the angles is better than 1 arc minute. Pins on the housings mate to a v-groove and a flat groove in a quasi-kinematic fashion, while Fig. 8-3 Poincaré Sphere showing six polarizati on eigenstates magnets provide holding force. This scheme facilitates precise, simple and fast indexing of the polarization eigenstates. Large ORDERING INFORMATION Polarimeters arrows on the housing indicate the transmission axis of the polarizer Item Part Number and the fast axis of the waveplates for ease of use. Available for wavelength ranges from 450-1700 nm. Eigenstate Generator Set EGS-λ Eigenstate Retarders are additional retarders that can be purchased Eigenstate Retarders EGR-λ at the same time as your Eigenstate Generator set and polarimeter. Please specify your operating wavelength λ in nm when ordering. Wavelengths available from 450-1700 nm.

3.677 3.677

1.00 1.00

2.450 2.450

0.4” Diameter 0.4” Diameter

3.032 3.032 0.875 Shoulder Screws 0.500" Head Diameter

3.00 1.300 1.300 1.407 1.407 Top View

0.38 ± 0.02 0.079 1.300 1.300

2.600 2.600 Polarizer Front View Retarder Front View 3.00 End View

0.540 0.765 0.540 0.765 Fig. 8-4 Polarizer, Retarder, Base Bottom View Bottom View

74 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected] Capabili ti es Quality Engineering Services Innovati on doesn’t just happen – you need the right people in the right place – Meadowlark Opti cs is that place and we have the right people. Whether your requirements are large or small, simple or complex, Meadowlark can design precision opti cs and mounti ng for your applicati ons.

Meadowlark’s team of researchers and engineers can help you solve your polarizati on opti cs and instrumentati on problems. We have developed custom polarizers, polymer retarders, achromati c retarders, Ordering liquid crystal opti cs and polarizati on analysis instrumentati on. Our skilled producti on staﬀ can turn your custom designs into consistently manufactured products.

Meadowlark Opti cs has the experti se, faciliti es and instruments to ensure your parts are mounted and aligned exactly as required. Our group of Opto-Mechanical Engineers can build a mount to meet customer specifi cati ons using the latest CAD soft ware and develop prototypes in our in-house machine shop. Plus, our collecti on of opti cal instruments, including proprietary devices, allows for mounti ng and verifi cati on of extremely ti ght opti cal and mechanical specifi cati ons. Working with Meadowlark Opti cs permits the enti re process from design to volume manufacturing to be completed in the same building. This removes the hassle of transferring valuable informati on and losing ti me as diff erent companies, development groups or manufacturing houses get up to speed on the changes. Here are a few of our custom polarizati on soluti ons...

[email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 75 Capabilities

Small Precision Optics Custom Tunable Filters

As optical components become integrated into OEM devices Many applications require that researchers and scientists visu- there is a need to restrict the dimensions of these components alize minute concentrations of elements or compounds, or the to ensure total package size requirements can be met. More changes in a continuous wavelength range. Meadowlark importantly the parts must be manufactured without any loss Optics line of Tunable Optical Filters allows the user to dissect in quality or optical an image into hundreds of individual wavelength images. Solar characteristics. astronomers have used LC Tunable Filters for years (examples: Meadowlark Optics has imaging of solar flares and prominences or imaging the solar es ti developed processes chromosphere) and now new applications in microscopy, that allow us to effi- spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging and many other fields are ciently build small being discovered and tested every day.

Capabili polarizers and retarders, down to a few millime- Design and construction of Tunable Optical Filters combines ters on a side for square multiple areas of Meadowlark Optics expertise, including our parts or as tiny as 6 mm Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders, instrumentation, fabrication in diameter. Our and of course polarization. Our knowledge has lead to designs unmounted PolyWave that overcome many issues that have been overlooked in the retarders can be built past. For example, the retardance of a LC cell is sensitive to down to a millimeter temperature and variations in the environment surrounding per side with a usable the device can clear aperture that

Quality lead to measure- extends to within 15 ment errors. As a microns of the edge. result we have Amazingly, these advancements are not only restricted to static mounted our components. Our active liquid crystal devices have gone even Tunable Optical smaller than static parts, including some devices with a 1 mm Filter inside a circular clear aperture inside of a 3mm square device. thermally controlled housing to preserve the tun- Custom Mounts/Sub-Assembly Work ing accuracy of the device. When designing an optical instrument there are often difficult Ordering challenges that force optics to be installed in tight spaces to Meadowlark Optics even tighter tolerances. Custom mounts are often required to offers a line of hold components of varying sizes and shapes that cannot be standard visible supported by traditional mounting options. Sub-assemblies and near infrared Tunable Optical Filters that provide the often require polarization components be mounted with sub insight and visualization you need. If the specifications of our degree accuracy, or be tilted to very specific angles away from standard devices are not ideal for your application we are very normal incidence. interested in designing a custom Tunable Filter to exactly meet your needs. Choose the wavelength range, full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the transmission peaks, tuning resolution, angular field-of-view and a number of other requirements and Meadowlark Optics will design the system needed to complete your experiments. We even have designs that allow for a variable FWHM at a single wavelength! Please refer to the Tunable Optical Filter section of the catalog (page 68) for more detail on these systems or call us to discuss your application requirements.

76 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected] Capabilities

Custom Spatial Light Modulators Most broadband polarizing beamcubes offer a useable wavelength range of 300-400 nm. The VersaLight beamcube offers a The applications for Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs) useable range of 1350 nm and can be used from 650-2000 nm are broad and far reaching. From ultrafast laser pulse shaping without much variation in transmission or loss of contrast to wavefront cor- ratio. In fact, this cube has a transmitted contrast ratio of 500:1 rection many or better through most of the useable wavelength range. It also tasks can be pushes the limits of the field of view for polarizing beamcubes. completed with The angular acceptance of the VersaLight cube is greater than

our standard ± 20°, compared to ± 3° for most thin film beamcubes, opening Capabili Linear and two- up many uses and applications that were not possible with dimensional thin film polarizer designs. This cube continues the Meadowlark

Hexagonal arrays. Optics tradition of innovation and quality construction by pro- ti es However, certain viding better specs and more performance to our customers, applications allowing them do to and see things that were never possible require larger before. active areas (clear apertures) in order to modu- Custom Retarders late the entire beam profile or When completing an application where the wavelength of maybe the pixels need to be arranged in a custom layout, like interest is different from a standard light source wavelength it Quality a series of concentric circles, for the experiment to be com- can be difficult to find an accurate retardation plate. The cost pleted properly. of polishing an entire batch of crystal parts (quartz, magnesium fluoride, sapphire, etc.) will make the prices of Meadowlark Optics would like to take on your need for a cus- low quantities of these tom designed transmissive SLM. Modifications to the pixel size, retarders very expen- dimensions and pattern can be completed by creating a new sive. Using our polymer photo-mask and since the optical head, driver and software can processing facilities, be kept the same these changes can be completed without Meadowlark Optics can dramatic price increases or lead-times. create a custom retarder Ordering for your specific wave- VersaLight™ Beam Splitting Polarizer length. Custom retardances, such as eighth- In an effort to offer more versatile products Meadowlark wave or tenth-wave are OOptics has designed also available. We also aann extremely broad- have the ability to create bbanda (650 to 2000 nm) retarders with custom popolarizing beamcube dimensions or large areas tot fitfit pperfectlyrf tl withinithin yourr uniqueniq babased around our optical design. lilinen of VersaLight wwire grid polarizers. Micro Retarders LLaminatinga a Versa- LLighti polarizer inside Other distinctive retarders that Meadowlark Optics can pro- twtwo right angle duce include a product we call Micro Retarders. These compo- pprismsr allows the nents were originally designed for use inside telecommunica- cocomponent to exhib- tions systems and their primary characteristic is their thickness, iitt the benefits of both or more appropriately their thinness. These retarders measure ththe polarizer and less than 20 microns thick, less than five millimeters per side cucube. This means and have almost perfect transmission characteristics. Like our ththat you have an standard polymer retarders these parts are available for any extremely broadband cube with a large acceptance angle that is wavelength and any retardance. easy to mount. These cubes can be made to transmit any polarization direction while reflecting the orthogonal polarization.

[email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 77 Capabilities

Pockels Cell Engineering Services/Consulting Modulators When faced with a problem related to polarization it can be OurO longitudinal Pockels very difficult to come to a solution that takes into account all CellsCe are often used in of the issues that need to be considered. Many times optimiz- polarimetrypo on imaging ing one parameter of a system leads to degradation somewhere lightlig beams and in the else and these tradeoffs need to be characterized in order to choppingch of polarized create the best system possible. The engineers at Meadowlark

es beams.be They consist of Optics have the educational background, technical knowledge ti Z-cutZ- KD*P crystals and most importantly years betweenbe protective win- of experience to help you dowsdo that have transpar- properly identify and solve

Capabili enten indium-tin oxide the problems you face. electrodesel applied to theirth interior faces. The Outside of their personal electrodesel produce a experiences our engineers uniform electric field normal to the optical faces and permit have access to numerous use of a thin (less than 3 mm) KD*P crystal. This makes these polarization modeling and cells suitable for use in non-collimated imaging light beams simulation programs that slower than f/20. Meadowlark specializes in clear aperatures can compute the expected up to 40 mm. These devices are useful as variable retarders in polarization output after an applications requiring much faster switching

Quality arbitrary polarization state Unique Custom Capabilities is passed through any number of components. When Over the years Meadowlark Optics has been asked to deliver modeling does not provide some unique polarization components. Our reputation for enough information we quality and innovation has made us the company that many have a number of state of people turn to when they need a device that is not readily the art optical measurement available. systems and techniques that measure retardance down to 0.001 of a wave or angu- Examples of these devices include a segmented polarizer that lar accuracies of less than half a degree. contained four different quadrants, where each quadrant had Ordering its polarization transmission axis in a different orientation. Another is an assembly of polarizing beam- So when faced with cubes that can take an input beam and a polarization prob- separate it into multiple output beams with llem that threatens varying linear polarization directions. We tto slow down your also have manufactured an optically pprogress contact addressed spatial light modulator. MMeadowlark Optics aand allow our group oof engineers to pro- Our engineers have spent years designing vvide you with the these components for various applications ccorrect solution. and they have the imagination and knowl-

edge to build a component that will perfectly fit your needs. So if you have an idea for a polarization component that you cannot find anywhere else talk to Meadowlark Optics.

78 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected] Meadowlark Quality Standards

At Meadowlark Optics, people are our strength and we believe in providing them with the best tools to do the job. The precision and quality our customers demand are part of everything we do.

At the heart of our process is our precision metrology. This automated ellipsom- eter provides fast, accurate Capabili retardance measurements. ti es Quality Ordering

Proprietary analyti cal tools, state-of-the-art system and component designs, as well as computer-controlled manufacturing equipment come together to ensure quality and consistency in all Meadowlark Opti cs products.

All ourour opti cacall componentscomponents andand instrumentati on are assembled to some of the most exacti ng standards in the industry by our highly trained staﬀ . We take precision seriously and we back it up with our warranty.

[email protected] • (303) 833-4333 • www.meadowlark.com 79 Ordering Information

Payment Terms Five Easy Ways to Order! US and Canadian customers are eligible for Net 30 Day terms, 1. Telephone (303) 833-4333 Our Sales Staff is available upon credit approval. Prepayment is generally required for Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm (Mountain international orders. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Time) to assist you. Express are also gladly accepted. 2. Fax (303) 833-4335 3. E-mail [email protected] Product Returns 4. Mail PO Box 1000 If you need to return a product, please contact Meadowlark Frederick, CO 80530-1000 es ti Optics for an authorization number to aid in tracking returned United States of America goods. Freight charges must be prepaid. All returned catalog 5. Website www.meadowlark.com products meeting specification are subject to a 25%

Capabili restocking charge. Custom products performing to specification can not be returned for credit or refund. Shipping We will use our best judgement regarding shipping method, Specifications unless a specific carrier is requested. Freight charges are prepaid and added to the invoice. Listed specifications are accurate as of the publication date. Product improvements and design changes may alter product specifications without notice. International Distributors For a list of our current international distributors, please visit

Quality our website: www.meadowlark.com Customer-Furnished Material Although great care is taken in handling all customer furnished material (CFM), occasionally parts may be damaged Export Control Laws in process. CFM is accepted at customer risk. Meadowlark Due to the high technical precision and diverse applications Optics is not responsible for damage or breakage to CFM. of Meadowlark Optics products, the export or re-export of this merchandise may be controlled by US export control regulations. The products are offered for sale under the Warranty express consideration that the buyer will conform with these All products in this catalog are warranted against defects in laws. materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment. Liability of Meadowlark Optics is limited to Ordering the defective product value only. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code Extended warranties are available. For more information, Meadowlark Optics is pleased to be an authorized supplier for contact Meadowlark Optics for specific details. all Department of Defense requirements. We are FAR 52.225 compliant.

As always, Meadowlark Optics products are made right here, Please note our CAGE code is 3Z151 in Colorado.

Made in USA

80 www.meadowlark.com • (303) 833-4333 • [email protected]