Features

• Two Types of Systems Available
• Fiber-Coupled
• Internal Sensor Head
• Fiber-Based Measurement at a Fixed Wavelength Range
• Free-Space
• Interchangeable External Sensor Head
• Free-Space and Fiber-Based Measurements Possible
• Easy Integration into Optical Setups
• Four Wavelength Ranges
• 400 - 700 nm
• 700 - 1000 nm
• 1000 - 1350 nm
• 1300 - 1700 nm
• External Exchangeable Measurement Heads
• High Dynamic Range of 70 dBm
• Rotating Wave Plate Based
• Sampling Rate up to 333 Samples/s
• Excellent Accuracy
• Preconfigured Laptop PC and Fiber Collimator Included

Applications

• Free Space and In-Fiber Polarimetry
• Degree of Polarization (DOP) Measurements
• Extinction Ratio (ER) Measurements
• Component for a PDL / PMD Measurement System

Thorlabs' Fiber-Coupled and Free-Space Polarimeters are terminating, rotating wave-plate-based, modules for free space and fiber-based measurements of the state of polarization (SOP). Their high dynamic range of 70 dB, broad wavelength range, and accuracy of ±0.2° on the Poincaré sphere opens a wide spectrum of application possibilities. These polarimeters are available with internal or external sensor heads and are fully compatible with Thorlabs' TXP5000 platform. Each PAX module ships with a preconfigured notebook for out-of-the-box plug & play operation.

All four Stokes values, which fully characterize a SOP, are provided either as analog output voltages or as digital values to the PC. An external trigger function allows synchronization of the PAX5700 Polarimeter with other devices. The PAX5710 offers an external sensor head, which can be used for free-space beams as well as for fiber-coupled measurements. A removable collimation package for a fiber connector input comes with each sensor head. The PAX5720 has an integrated non-removable collimation package for fiber-coupled measurements only.

Based on the Thorlabs TXP5000 Modular Test & Measurement System, the PAX Polarimeters offer additional features like USB/ Ethernet ports, 'plug and play' combination with other modules, easy-to-use graphical user interfaces, and flexible configurations via LabVIEW™ and Labwindows/CVI™, which allows the user to write his or her own application.

Each measurement sensor is calibrated at different wavelength points. These base points are interpolated.

Please Note:
The included, preconfigured Notebook computer is intended for sole use with the installed software to enable plug and play out-of-the-box operation. The PC is not specified and the model may change without notice. Thorlabs cannot provide any support for the PC except regarding the operation of this device. If you would prefer a PAX or PAN system without the PC, please contact Tech Support.

Fiber-Coupled Polarimeter Specifications

Free-Space Polarimeter Specifications

Note: All data are valid at 23 ±5°C and 45 ± 15% relative humidity.

Software Modules for the PAX Polarimeters

There are two complete software packages available for download below.

Software

Version 2.9

Standard full TXP software packages:
Applications, Drivers, and Firmware

OR

Advanced Beta Version*

Version 3.0.20 (April 5, 2012)

For operation of all PAX series polarimeters under Windows Vista and Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit) including GUI and drivers. This is an updated version of the TXP-software that is compatible with PAX devices only.

*This release candidate software version, which incorporates new features and/or bug fixes as outlined in the change log file on the download page, has been through several rounds of testing and there are currently no significant bugs. Once full testing and documentation is avalable, this version will become the standard software package. In the interim, Thorlabs is making this complete software file available for those customers whose research endeavors would benefit from the updated features.