"; _cf_contextpath=""; _cf_ajaxscriptsrc="/cfthorscripts/ajax"; _cf_jsonprefix='//'; _cf_websocket_port=8578; _cf_flash_policy_port=1244; _cf_clientid='75DAE029C2D81540E09BB21A91581196';/* ]]> */
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Glan-Taylor Calcite Polarizers![]()
GT10-A GT5-A GT15-A Application Idea GT10-A Polarizer and SM1PM10 ![]() Please Wait Glan-Taylor Calcite Polarizers Divert Ordinary Rays, Leaving Very Highly Polarized Extraordinary Rays (Aligned with the "Polarization Axis" Mark on the Housing) Passing Through the Polarizer Features
Our Glan-Taylor Polarizers produce extremely pure linear polarization with an extinction ratio greater than 100,000:1 and are meant for use with laser beams in the 350 nm - 2.3 μm wavelength range. A significant amount of reflected light escapes the polarizers through the side port, including all of the ordinary ray and some of the extraordinary ray. As such, the escape beam is not fully polarized, and only the transmitted extraordinary ray should be used for applications that require a high-quality, polarized beam. The input and output faces of these polarizers are polished to a laser quality 20-10 scratch-dig surface finish to minimize scattering of the transmitted extraordinary polarization component of the incident laser beam or light field. The ordinary polarization component is reflected and exits the polarizer at a 68° angle (wavelength dependent) through one of the two uncoated side ports, which are provided to allow bidirectional use of the polarizer. The escape ray is not fully polarized and the side escape ports have a lower surface quality of 80-50 scratch-dig.
Warning: Calcite is a temperature-sensitive crystal and will crack if it is exposed to thermal shock. Allow the shipping packaging to reach complete thermal equilibrium before opening (6 - 8 hours).
Thorlabs' Glan-Taylor Calcite Polarizers are available in black anodized housings with 5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm clear apertures. They are offered uncoated or with standard broadband antireflection coatings for 350 - 700 nm, 650 - 1050 nm, or 1050 - 1700 nm (see the Graphs tab above for more information). For high power applications, Thorlabs offers Glan-Laser Polarizers, which are fabricated from lower scatter natural calcite. Our pre-mounted polarizers can be mounted inside our Polarizing Prism Mounts for compatibility with our SM05 (0.535"-40) or SM1 (1.035"-40) threads. The SM05PM5 provides SM05 compatibility for pre-mounted polarizers with Ø5 mm clear apertures, while the SM1PM10 and SM1PM15 provide SM1 compatibility for polarizers with Ø10 mm or Ø15 mm clear apertures, respectively. Calcite is a natural material and transmittance of light near 350 nm is typically around 75% (see Graphs tab). For applications in the UV, we suggest using α-BBO polarizers as they offer superior UV transmittance. It is not recommended to use these polarizers for input beams with wavelengths greater than 2.3 µm, as calcite has different absorption coefficients for the ordinary and extrarodinary rays that diverge past this point.
![]() Field of View Angle Orientation A significant amount of scattered unpolarized light escapes the polarizers. As a result, the escape ray (o-ray) is not purely polarized and should not be used for polarization dependent applications. The output ray has a very pure polarization with an extinction ratio of 100 000:1. ![]() Click to Enlarge Note: Since calcite is a soft material, care must be taken when cleaning. The coated faces of the polarizer can be gently cleaned with solvent and air. The escape faces (uncoated and perpendicular to the input / exit faces) are extremely delicate and can be damaged very easily. Do not touch these faces if possible. Cleaning should be light and at a glancing angle. If these surfaces must be wiped, use only solvent-moistened cotton or untreated facial tissues. ![]() Click to Enlarge Click Here for Raw Data The transmission graph above shows the typical transmission of calcite polarizers, including any internal losses. The transmission is valid for linearly polarized light aligned with the mark on the housing of the polarizer. Calcite is a natural material, and thus transmission can vary significantly, particularly in the UV and IR. Consequently, the performance data shown above may vary from lot to lot and is not guaranteed. ![]() Click to Enlarge Click Here for Raw Data The AR coating graph above shows the typical surface reflections associated with each of the AR coatings offered on our Glan-Laser Calcite Polarizers. Please note that this data represents the performance of the surface coating and does not include any internal losses. Glan Taylor Specifications
Polarization-Dependent Refraction - Glan-Taylor Calcite Polarizer
![]() GeneralOur calcite polarizers are all based on high-grade, birefringent calcite crystals. Due to the birefringent nature of calcite, waves polarized in the direction of the optical axis propagate with a different index of refraction than waves polarized orthogonally to the optical axis. In our Glan-Taylor polarizers, this birefringence causes the ordinary polarization component of an incident beam to undergo total internal reflection at an internal glass-to-air interface. The light transmitted through the polarizer then consists of only the remaining extraordinary polarization component. While these transmitted extraordinary rays are highly polarized, the reflected ordinary rays are only partially polarized. Our Glan-Laser and Glan-Taylor polarizers are designed as polarizer elements that remove the reflected ordinary polarization component of a beam. These polarizers are built out of two prisms, as shown in the drawing to the right. They are only designed to work with well collimated light beams; converging and diverging input beams will not exhibit proper polarization and incidence angle at the internal interface. Since calcite is a soft crystal that is easily damaged, almost all of our calcite polarizers are offered in metal housings. With convenient threadings and adapters, these housings can easily be mounted into our opto-mechanical products. Field of ViewCalcite polarizers feature a field of view (FOV) that varies with both wavelength and entrance orientation. The FOV of these prisms must be considered during alignment and collimation procedures. As seen in the drawing and graph below and to the right, the side of the polarizer with the escape window has an FOV that decreases as the wavelength increases (FOV 1). The opposite side has an FOV that increases as the wavelength increases (FOV 2). Field of View Angle Orientation
![]() TransmissionThorlabs uses only the highest quality natural calcite in our polarizing prisms. Typical transmission curves for these polarizers may be found on the Graphs tab. Because calcite is a naturally occuring material, variations in the crystal affect the transmission curve and the damage threshold rating. Variations in the calcite transmission curve are typically limited to wavelengths > 2 μm, making calcite an excellent material to use in the visible and NIR.
Damage Threshold Data for Thorlabs' Glan-Taylor Calcite PolarizersThe specifications to the right are measured data for Thorlabs' Glan-Taylor calcite polarizers. Damage threshold specifications are constant for a given coating type, regardless of the size of the polarizer. Care should be taken to ensure that the polarizer's clear aperture is large enough for your beam, and that the polarizer is well aligned. While each polarizer is air-spaced within the clear aperture, the prisms composing the polarizer are separated by an epoxied photo-etched spacer that is not designed to withstand high laser powers. Using these parts outside of the clear aperture can result in catastrophic damage and failure.
Laser Induced Damage Threshold TutorialThe following is a general overview of how laser induced damage thresholds are measured and how the values may be utilized in determining the appropriateness of an optic for a given application. When choosing optics, it is important to understand the Laser Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) of the optics being used. The LIDT for an optic greatly depends on the type of laser you are using. Continuous wave (CW) lasers typically cause damage from thermal effects (absorption either in the coating or in the substrate). Pulsed lasers, on the other hand, often strip electrons from the lattice structure of an optic before causing thermal damage. Note that the guideline presented here assumes room temperature operation and optics in new condition (i.e., within scratch-dig spec, surface free of contamination, etc.). Because dust or other particles on the surface of an optic can cause damage at lower thresholds, we recommend keeping surfaces clean and free of debris. For more information on cleaning optics, please see our Optics Cleaning tutorial. Testing MethodThorlabs' LIDT testing is done in compliance with ISO/DIS 11254 and ISO 21254 specifications. ![]() The photograph above is a protected aluminum-coated mirror after LIDT testing. In this particular test, it handled 0.43 J/cm2 (1064 nm, 10 ns pulse, 10 Hz, Ø1.000 mm) before damage. ![]()
According to the test, the damage threshold of the mirror was 2.00 J/cm2 (532 nm, 10 ns pulse, 10 Hz, Ø0.803 mm). Please keep in mind that these tests are performed on clean optics, as dirt and contamination can significantly lower the damage threshold of a component. While the test results are only representative of one coating run, Thorlabs specifies damage threshold values that account for coating variances. Continuous Wave and Long-Pulse LasersWhen an optic is damaged by a continuous wave (CW) laser, it is usually due to the melting of the surface as a result of absorbing the laser's energy or damage to the optical coating (antireflection) [1]. Pulsed lasers with pulse lengths longer than 1 µs can be treated as CW lasers for LIDT discussions. When pulse lengths are between 1 ns and 1 µs, laser-induced damage can occur either because of absorption or a dielectric breakdown (therefore, a user must check both CW and pulsed LIDT). Absorption is either due to an intrinsic property of the optic or due to surface irregularities; thus LIDT values are only valid for optics meeting or exceeding the surface quality specifications given by a manufacturer. While many optics can handle high power CW lasers, cemented (e.g., achromatic doublets) or highly absorptive (e.g., ND filters) optics tend to have lower CW damage thresholds. These lower thresholds are due to absorption or scattering in the cement or metal coating. LIDT in linear power density vs. pulse length and spot size. For long pulses to CW, linear power density becomes a constant with spot size. This graph was obtained from [1]. ![]() Pulsed lasers with high pulse repetition frequencies (PRF) may behave similarly to CW beams. Unfortunately, this is highly dependent on factors such as absorption and thermal diffusivity, so there is no reliable method for determining when a high PRF laser will damage an optic due to thermal effects. For beams with a high PRF both the average and peak powers must be compared to the equivalent CW power. Additionally, for highly transparent materials, there is little to no drop in the LIDT with increasing PRF. In order to use the specified CW damage threshold of an optic, it is necessary to know the following:
Thorlabs expresses LIDT for CW lasers as a linear power density measured in W/cm. In this regime, the LIDT given as a linear power density can be applied to any beam diameter; one does not need to compute an adjusted LIDT to adjust for changes in spot size, as demonstrated by the graph to the right. Average linear power density can be calculated using the equation below. The calculation above assumes a uniform beam intensity profile. You must now consider hotspots in the beam or other non-uniform intensity profiles and roughly calculate a maximum power density. For reference, a Gaussian beam typically has a maximum power density that is twice that of the uniform beam (see lower right). Now compare the maximum power density to that which is specified as the LIDT for the optic. If the optic was tested at a wavelength other than your operating wavelength, the damage threshold must be scaled appropriately. A good rule of thumb is that the damage threshold has a linear relationship with wavelength such that as you move to shorter wavelengths, the damage threshold decreases (i.e., a LIDT of 10 W/cm at 1310 nm scales to 5 W/cm at 655 nm): While this rule of thumb provides a general trend, it is not a quantitative analysis of LIDT vs wavelength. In CW applications, for instance, damage scales more strongly with absorption in the coating and substrate, which does not necessarily scale well with wavelength. While the above procedure provides a good rule of thumb for LIDT values, please contact Tech Support if your wavelength is different from the specified LIDT wavelength. If your power density is less than the adjusted LIDT of the optic, then the optic should work for your application. Please note that we have a buffer built in between the specified damage thresholds online and the tests which we have done, which accommodates variation between batches. Upon request, we can provide individual test information and a testing certificate. The damage analysis will be carried out on a similar optic (customer's optic will not be damaged). Testing may result in additional costs or lead times. Contact Tech Support for more information. Pulsed LasersAs previously stated, pulsed lasers typically induce a different type of damage to the optic than CW lasers. Pulsed lasers often do not heat the optic enough to damage it; instead, pulsed lasers produce strong electric fields capable of inducing dielectric breakdown in the material. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to compare the LIDT specification of an optic to your laser. There are multiple regimes in which a pulsed laser can damage an optic and this is based on the laser's pulse length. The highlighted columns in the table below outline the relevant pulse lengths for our specified LIDT values. Pulses shorter than 10-9 s cannot be compared to our specified LIDT values with much reliability. In this ultra-short-pulse regime various mechanics, such as multiphoton-avalanche ionization, take over as the predominate damage mechanism [2]. In contrast, pulses between 10-7 s and 10-4 s may cause damage to an optic either because of dielectric breakdown or thermal effects. This means that both CW and pulsed damage thresholds must be compared to the laser beam to determine whether the optic is suitable for your application.
When comparing an LIDT specified for a pulsed laser to your laser, it is essential to know the following: LIDT in energy density vs. pulse length and spot size. For short pulses, energy density becomes a constant with spot size. This graph was obtained from [1].
The energy density of your beam should be calculated in terms of J/cm2. The graph to the right shows why expressing the LIDT as an energy density provides the best metric for short pulse sources. In this regime, the LIDT given as an energy density can be applied to any beam diameter; one does not need to compute an adjusted LIDT to adjust for changes in spot size. This calculation assumes a uniform beam intensity profile. You must now adjust this energy density to account for hotspots or other nonuniform intensity profiles and roughly calculate a maximum energy density. For reference a Gaussian beam typically has a maximum energy density that is twice that of the 1/e2 beam. Now compare the maximum energy density to that which is specified as the LIDT for the optic. If the optic was tested at a wavelength other than your operating wavelength, the damage threshold must be scaled appropriately [3]. A good rule of thumb is that the damage threshold has an inverse square root relationship with wavelength such that as you move to shorter wavelengths, the damage threshold decreases (i.e., a LIDT of 1 J/cm2 at 1064 nm scales to 0.7 J/cm2 at 532 nm): You now have a wavelength-adjusted energy density, which you will use in the following step. Beam diameter is also important to know when comparing damage thresholds. While the LIDT, when expressed in units of J/cm², scales independently of spot size; large beam sizes are more likely to illuminate a larger number of defects which can lead to greater variances in the LIDT [4]. For data presented here, a <1 mm beam size was used to measure the LIDT. For beams sizes greater than 5 mm, the LIDT (J/cm2) will not scale independently of beam diameter due to the larger size beam exposing more defects. The pulse length must now be compensated for. The longer the pulse duration, the more energy the optic can handle. For pulse widths between 1 - 100 ns, an approximation is as follows: Use this formula to calculate the Adjusted LIDT for an optic based on your pulse length. If your maximum energy density is less than this adjusted LIDT maximum energy density, then the optic should be suitable for your application. Keep in mind that this calculation is only used for pulses between 10-9 s and 10-7 s. For pulses between 10-7 s and 10-4 s, the CW LIDT must also be checked before deeming the optic appropriate for your application. Please note that we have a buffer built in between the specified damage thresholds online and the tests which we have done, which accommodates variation between batches. Upon request, we can provide individual test information and a testing certificate. Contact Tech Support for more information. [1] R. M. Wood, Optics and Laser Tech. 29, 517 (1998).
Polarizer Selection GuideThorlabs offers a diverse range of polarizers, including wire grid, film, calcite, alpha-BBO, rutile, and beamsplitting polarizers. Collectively, our line of wire grid polarizers offers coverage from the visible range to the beginning of the Far-IR range. Our nanoparticle linear film polarizers provide extinction ratios as high as 100 000:1. Alternatively, our other film polarizers offer an affordable solution for polarizing light from the visible to the Near-IR. Next, our beamsplitting polarizers allow for use of the reflected beam, as well as the more completely polarized transmitted beam. Finally, our alpha-BBO (UV), calcite (visible to Near-IR), rutile (Near-IR to Mid-IR), and yttrium orthovanadate (YVO4) (Near-IR to Mid-IR) polarizers each offer an exceptional extinction ratio of 100 000:1 within their respective wavelength ranges. To explore the available types, wavelength ranges, extinction ratios, transmission, and available sizes for each polarizer category, click More [+] in the appropriate row below.
![]() *The AR coating is designed for 350 - 700 nm. However, calcite's transmittance is diminished in the UV (see Graphs tab). Thorlabs recommends using a-BBO polarizers for UV applications. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|