Meadowlark Optics Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders (LVR), Attenuators (LVA), and Rotators (LPR)
Description
- LVR: These products all use nematic liquid crystal materials to electrically control polarization. Meadowlark Optics standard liquid crystal products provide tunable retardation by changing the effective birefringence of the material with applied voltage, thus altering the input polarized light to any chosen elliptical, linear or circular polarization. Our precision Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders require unique fabrication and assembly steps. We construct these retarders using optically flat fused silica windows coated with our transparent conductive Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). Our ITO coating is specially designed for maximum transmission from 450 – 1800 nm
LVA: Meadowlark Optics’ Liquid Crystal Variable Attenuator (LCVA) offers real-time, continuous control of light intensity. Our attenuator consists of an LC Variable Retarder (with attached compensator) operating between crossed linear polarizers. With crossed polarizers, light transmission is maximized by applying the correct voltage to achieve half-wave retardance from the LC cell. Half-wave operation rotates the incoming polarization direction by 90°, so that light is passed by the second polarizer. Minimum transmission is obtained with the retarder operating at zero (or a whole number of) waves. Transmission decreases as the applied AC voltage amplitude increases (half- to zero-waves retardance). The relationship between transmittance T and retardance (in degrees) for crossed polarizer configuration is given by: T(Θ) = 1/2 [1 – cos(Θ)] Tmax, where Tmax is the maximum transmittance when retardance is exactly one-half wave (or 180°).
- LPR: Our Liquid Crystal Polarization Rotator (LPR) continuously rotates the polarization orientation of a monochromatic, linearly polarized input beam. Our LPR consists of a compensated Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder combined with a zero-order polymer quarter-wave retarder. The fast axis of the liquid crystal variable retarder is oriented at 45° to the slow axis of the quarter-wave retarder and the linearly polarized input must be parallel to the quarter-wave retarder slow axis. Polarization rotation is achieved by electrically controlling the retardance of the Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder, eliminating any mechanical motion.
Meadowlark Optics Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders (LVR), Attenuators (LVA), and Rotators (LPR)
Specifications |
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|---|---|
| Waveplate Type: | Zero Order |
| Material: | Liquid Crystal |
| Mounting: | Mounted, Unmounted |
| Shape: | Round, Square, Rectangle, Custom |
| Size: | 25.5 mm |
| Center Wavelength: | 633 nm |
| Retardation: | Lambda/2, Lambda/4, Lambda, Other |
| Retardation Accuracy: | Custom |
| Wavefront Distortion: | <= Lambda/4, Custom |
| Surface Quality (Scratch-Dig): | 40-20 |
| Wavelength Range Available: | 405-1700 nm |
Features
LVR:
- Computer control capability
- Temperature control options
- Usable from 450 to 1800 nm
- Precision non-mechanical retardation control
LVA:
- High contrast ratio
- Computer control capabilities
- Continuous control of light intensity
LPR:
- High power capability
- High polarization purity
- Computer control capability
- 180-degree polarization rotation
- Continuous rotation of linearly polarized light
For pricing, technical or any other questions please contact the supplier
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How to order?
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Ships from:
United States
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On FindLight:
since 2024