Features

Uniform Retardance Over Full Aperture
Three Wavelength Ranges (UV, VIS, and IR)
Continuously Variable Retardance
Graduated Rotation Ring
45 Index Stops

Applications

Measurement of Unknown Retardances
High-Resolution Ellipsometry
Birefringence Compensation

The Soleil-Babinet Compensator is a continuously variable, zero-order retarder (wave plate) that operates over a broad wavelength range. The classical design of the compensator consists of a long birefringent wedge and a fixed wedge mounted to a compensator plate. The retardance is adjusted by moving the position of the long wedge relative to the short wedge. This adjustment is made via a precision digital micrometer. This allows the retardance to vary continuously while maintaining a uniform retardance across the aperture at any given setting.

Crystalline quartz optics are used in both Soleil-Babinet Compensator models. The UV, visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) are designed for the 140 - 400 nm, 365 - 800 nm and 740 - 1650 nm spectral ranges, respectively.

The standard Soleil-Babinet Compensators are uncoated for broad spectral operation. To minimize reflection losses when using the compensator over narrow wavelength ranges, AR-coated versions are available upon request.

The included digital micrometer has a 3.8" mounting barrel and offers 1" of travel. To motorize an SBC, a Z825 DC servo motor can replace the standard micrometer. Alternatively, Thorlabs' Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders may be a suitable alternative to a motorized SBC.

Micrometer Soleil-Babinet Specifications

Item #	SBC-VIS	SBC-IR
Wavelength Range	365 - 800 nm	740 - 1650 nm
Retardance Adjustment	0 to 2π (full wave)
Clear Aperture	Ø10 mm
Beam Deviation	<1 arcmin
Transmitted Wavefront Error	<λ/4
Surface Quality	40-20 Scratch-Dig
Digital Readout Resolution	0.001 mm
Repeatability Values*	@ 405 nm: 0.0016 waves @ 633 nm: 0.001 waves @ 800 nm: 0.0008 waves	@ 1064 nm: 0.0012 waves @ 1550 nm: 0.0008 waves
Rotation	360^ocontinuous
Rotation Division Scale	1° increment
Detent Index Stops	Every 45°
Software	N/A

*Individual results may vary.

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Posted Comments:
Poster: Adam	Posted Date: 2010-04-07 12:16:22.0
A response from Adam at Thorlabs to dgtlc: The crystals inside the SBC-VIS are not AR coated. We currently have not considered adding a VIS-NIR version to our catalog. I will recommend this to our engineering team as a customer inspired idea. Theoretically, the SBC-VIS should be useable up to 1064nm. At 800nm, the retardance is > 1.75 waves, so at 1064nm, the retardance will be > 1.3 waves. I will contact you directly with more information about the product.

Poster: dgtlc	Posted Date: 2010-04-07 06:43:58.0
Was the crystal inside the SBC-VIS anti-reflection coated? And why not to make a SBC cover VIS and IR waverange? Can you tell me the inclination angle of the wedges in SBC? Thank you! Dun

Poster: apalmentieri	Posted Date: 2010-03-02 16:48:39.0
A response from Adam at Thorlabs to a.bruni: I would like to get more information about your setup and how you intend to use the CCD camera. I will email you directly to get this information.

Poster: a.bruni	Posted Date: 2010-03-02 13:56:31.0
Dear, I am Eng. Bruni from Loccioni Group, I would like to have some information about your babinet compesator. I have to performed a polariscope using CCD Camera and light sorce, please send me same information if it is possible to use this compesator with a CCD camera. All the best Andrea

Poster: klee	Posted Date: 2009-11-03 10:02:35.0
A response from Ken at Thorlabs to teng3123: The optics in the SBC-VIS and SBC-IR are not anti-reflection coated. However, we can make them with AR coating as specials. Please let us know if you would like to have a quotation.

Poster: teng3123	Posted Date: 2009-11-03 02:48:37.0
Was the crystal inside the SBC-VIS anti-reflection coated? About 30% of the laser power was lost after passed through SBC-VIS.