





Arcopix 偏振轉換器能將一束具有線性極化的光轉換成具有放射性極化或圓環狀極化的光束。
Radial-Azimuthal Polarization Converter
The Radial Polarization converter from Arcopix (former polaroptic) is a worldwide unique device that converts a conventional linearly polarized beam into a beam that has a CONTINUOUS radial or azimuthal polarization distribution and stable in time. As illustrated in the figure below the orientation of the polarization vector varies spatially but locally the polarization sate is considered as linear.
Thanks to special alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, the polarization converter rotates locally the orientation of the linearly polarized beam. Depending of the orientation of the device in respect to the entrance polarization we may obtain either azimuthally or a radially polarization distribution as described in the figure above.
The polarization rotator can be delivered with adequate polarizers and housing (figure below). The specially designed housing permits to align our polarization converter precisely with the rest of your optical system. Also an additional Arcoptix electrical tunable phase shifter can be inserted in this housing.
Radial polarization converter Specs
wavelength range | 350-1700 nm |
active area | 10 mm diameter |
transmission | better than 75% (in the VIS) |
retarder material | Nematic Liquid-Crystal |
Substrates material | Glass |
Local extinction ratio (input Intensity/ouput intensity) when placed between crossed polarizers | ~100 @ 633nm |
Output intensity homogenity | < 1/100 RMS variation |
temperature range | 15°-35° |
Save operating limit |
500 W/cm2 CW 300 mJ/cm2 10 ns, visible 200 mJ/cm2 10 ns, 1064 nm |
Total size of the housing | 6 cm x 4 cm x 1.5 cm |
PrincipleThe radial polarization converter is a nematic liquid crystal cell composed of one uniform and one circularly rubbed alignment layer. The local alignment of the LC in the polarization converter is that of a twisted cell, with a twist angle given by the local alignment layers These twist angles are always smaller than pi/2. A thin disinclination line appears in the LC cell (line in the figure below) but is unnoticeable for most types of experiments. As shown in figure above, when linearly polarized light is shining through a polarization converter and the polarization direction is parallel or perpendicular to the uniform alignment layer, azimuthally or radially polarized light emerges on the other side. So by simple rotation of the entrance polarization the polaroptic polarization converter can switch from radial to azimuthal polarisation distribution. A more detailed description can be found in “Stalder et. al., Optics Letters, volume 21, page 1948, published in 1996”. | ![]() |
Front view LC molecule twist inside the theta-cell |