Meadowlark Optics
Polarizer Selection Guide
Meadowlark Polarizers are available in circular, linear, and beam splitting types. Standard models are designed for either broad or specific wavelength capabilities, for use in the 220-nm to 6-micron range, and custom options extend up to 15 microns. Meadowlark Optics delivers high quality and precision, featuring excellent surface quality, high extinction ratio, and low transmitted wavefront distortion. Additionally, we provide custom solutions such as prism clusters, attached retarders, and various shapes and sizes, ensuring tailored components that fit your specific needs.
Use the convenient guide below to compare polarizers. Then contact us to learn more about how a Meadowlark polarizer can benefit your research. We offer a wide range of polarization products and services to meet your needs. Don’t settle for anything less than the best.
POLARIZER | FEATURES | WAVELENGTH | CONTRAST RATIO | *TWD | ACCEPTANCE | BEAM DEVIATION | |
LINEAR | •Custom shapes and large apertures available •Ultraviolet, visible, near infrared versions •Most economical linear polarizer choice | UV – NIR | UV: up to 500:1 VIS: up to 30,000:1 NIR: up to 10:000:1 | UV: ≤ λ/2 VIS: ≤ λ/5 NIR: ≤ λ/2 | ± 10° | UV: ≤ 2 arc min VIS: ≤ 1 arc min NIR: ≤ 2 arc min | |
LINEAR | •High contrast •High transmission •Wavelength-specific design | 650 – 950 nm | up to 10,000:1 | λ/4 | ± 5° | ≤ 3 arc min | |
LINEAR | •Spectral performance – good •High temperature resistance •Highest available contrast ratio •Excellent ultraviolet product option | UV – MWIR | up to 10,000,000:1 | UV: 1 λ per 10 mm dia. VIS: 1 λ per 10 mm dia. IR: 1 λ per 10 mm dia. MWIR: design dependent | ± 5° | ≤ 5 arc min | |
LINEAR | •Excellent extinction ratio •Spectral performance – better •Multilayer BBAR coatings also available | UV – NIR | 100,000:1 over central 2/3 of clear aperture | N/A | ± 5° | ≤ 3 arc min | |
LINEAR | •Extremely broadband – best •Wide acceptance angle •Excellent transmitted contrast •Thin, compact design | UV – NIR | up to 1,000,0000:1 | ≤ 3.5 λ per in. | ± 40° | ≤ 10 arc min | |
LINEAR | •Excellent contrast ratio •Thin profile •High transmission •Custom apertures > 2 inches available | MWIR – LWIR (3 – 6 µm) | up to 25,000:1 | λ1.5 λ per in. (at 4 µm) | ± 20° | ≤ 2 arc min | |
BEAMSPLITTING | •Broad spectral performance •Specularly reflective operation •High power handling capability •Visible and near infrared versions | FS: UV – NIR Eagle: VIS – NIR | 2,000:1 (typical transmission) | FS: ~ λ/4 per in. Eagle: ~ 5 λ per in. | ± 40° | ≤ 1 arc min | |
BEAMSPLITTING | •420 to 2600 nm •Wide acceptance angle •Excellent transmitted contrast | 420 – 700 nm | 10,000:1 (typical transmission) | ≤ λ/3 (transmitted) | ± 25° | ≤ 5 arc min | |
BEAMSPLITTING | •High contrast •Low reflectance •High damage threshold options available | VIS – NIR | up to 1,000:1 (typical transmission) | ≤ λ/4 (surface flatness) | ± 2° | ≤ 3 arc min | |
BEAMSPLITTING | •High contrast •High damage threshold options available •Broad spectral performance | VIS – NIR | up to 500:1 (typical transmission) | ≤ λ/8 (surface flatness) | ± 2° | ≤ 3 arc min | |
CIRCULAR | •High isolation •Large diameters available •Achromatic versions for broadband performance | VIS – NIR (specify wavelength) | N/A | VIS: ≤ λ/5 NIR: ≤ λ/2 | ± 10° | VIS: ≤ 1 arc min NIR: ≤ 2 arc min | |
CIRCULAR | •High isolation •Excellent wavefront quality •Robust opto-mechanical design | VIS – NIR | N/A | ≤ λ/5 (transmitted) | ± 2° | ≤ 3 arc min | |
*Meadowlark Optics chooses to specify Transmitted Wavefront Distortion as Peak-to-Valley (P-V). We believe P-V more accurately reflects the high and low points of the surface vs. RMS which uses an average.
**Ultra High Contrast Polarizers are sold laminated. If unlaminated is desired, please contact a Solutions Engineer for a custom quote.
Wide Range of Options – This selection chart provides an at-a-glance view of our standard polarizers broken down into Circular, Linear and Beam splitting categories.
Broad Wavelength Capabilities – Our standard polarizers are designed for use in the 220-nm to 6-micron range (with custom options up to 15 microns.)
High Quality and Precision – Meadowlark Optics is proud to continue providing our customers with industry-leading specifications including excellent surface quality, high extinction ratio, low transmitted wavefront distortion, and more.
Custom Solutions – Prism clusters, attached retarders, odd shapes and sizes – while we are delighted to provide you one of our standard components or systems, we are just as happy to customize a solution that more exactly fits your needs.
