Liquid Crystal Operating Principles
Meadowlark Optics DOWNLOAD PRINCIPLES Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders are solid
Key Features
Retarder Material: Nematic liquid crystal with Birefringent polymer
Substrate Material: Optical quality synthetic fused silica
Polarization Rotation: 180˚ or more
Polarization Purity: 150:1 average
Transmittance: > 92 % with polarized input
Transmitted Wavefront Distortion (P – V at 632.8 nm): ≤ λ/4
Surface Quality: 40 – 20 scratch-dig
Beam Deviation: ≤ 2 arc min
Reflectance (per surface): ≤ 0.5 % at normal incidence
Diameter Tolerance: ± 0.005 in.
Temperature Range: 0 ˚C to 50 ˚C
Safe Operating Limit: t 500 W/cm² , CW 300 mJ/cm² , 10 ns, visible
Item # | Size | Optimized Wavelength | Wavelength Range | Clear Aperture | Thickness | Lead Time | Price | Add to cart |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LPR-100-λ | 1.000 in. (25.40 mm) | Specify λ 450-1800 in Checkout | 450-1800 | 0.370 in. (9.4 mm) | 1.230 in. (31.24 mm) | 2 weeks | $1,716.00 | |
LPR-200-λ | 2.000 in. (50.80 mm) | Specify λ 450-1800 in Checkout | 450-1800 | 0.700 in. (17.8 mm) | 0.750 in. (19.05 mm) | 2 weeks | $2,585.00 | |
LPR-300-λ | 3.000 in. (76.20 mm) | Specify λ 450-1800 in Checkout | 450-1800 | 1.600 in. (40.64 mm) | 1.000 in. (25.40 mm) | 3 weeks | $4,202.00 |
A quarter-wave retarder converts elliptical polarization formed by the Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder to linear polarization. The rotation angle is equal to one-half the retardance change from the Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder. Response time of the LPR depends upon the desired amount of rotation. Small rotations have a longer response time because of a smaller change in the electric field strength.
Polarization purity is defined as the ratio of the rotated linear component to the orthogonal component and, on average, polarization purity (or extinction ratio) is better than 150:1. We provide test data including the required voltages corresponding to polarization orientations, in 10° increments, from approximately – 40° to approximately 140° rotation. These measurements are taken at ambient temperature for your specified wavelength.
Standard Liquid Crystal Polarization Rotators are supplied without an input polarizer. Input polarization direction must be precisely aligned for optimum performance.
SPECIFICATIONS |
|
Retarder Material |
Nematic liquid crystal with Birefringent polymer |
Substrate Material |
Optical quality synthetic fused silica |
Wavelength |
450 – 1800 nm (please specify) |
Polarization Rotation |
180˚ or more |
Polarization Purity |
150:1 average |
Transmittance |
> 92 % with polarized input |
Transmitted Wavefront Distortion (at 632.8 nm) |
≤ λ/4 |
Surface Quality |
40 – 20 scratch-dig |
Beam Deviation |
≤ 2 arc min |
Reflectance (per surface) |
≤ 0.5 % at normal incidence |
Diameter Tolerance |
± 0.005 in. |
Temperature Range |
0 ˚C to 50 ˚C |
Recommended Safe Operating Limit |
t 500 W/cm² , CW 300 mJ/cm² , 10 ns, visible |
ORDERING INFORMATION | |||
Diameter | Clear Aperture | Thickness | Part Number |
1.00 (25.4 mm) | 0.37 (9.4 mm) | 1.23 (31.25 mm) | LPR – 100 – λ |
2.00 (50.8 mm) | 0.70 (17.8 mm) | 0.75 (19.05 mm) | LPR – 200 – λ |
3.00 (76.2 mm) | 1.60 (40.64 mm) | 1.00 (25.4 mm) | LPR – 300 – λ |
Please specify operating wavelength λ in nanometers when placing your order.
Custom sizes are available. Please contact our Sales Department for a custom quote.
Meadowlark Optics DOWNLOAD PRINCIPLES Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders are solid
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