Features

• Two Orthogonally Polarized Outputs
• Large, 20° Angular Deviation
• Symmetrical Outputs (within 1°)
• High, 100,000:1 Extinction Ratio
• 350 nm to 2.3 μm Operation for Uncoated Prisms
• AR Coated Versions for the 350 -700 nm and
  650 - 1050 nm Ranges
• Highest Grade Optical Calcite
• 10 mm x 10 mm Clear Aperture, Ø1” Housing

The Wollaston prism offers the widest deviation angle of beam-displacing polarizers. This prism polarizer is made of two calcite prisms cemented together. Both output beams are deviated symmetrically to within ~1°. Since the output deviations are chromatic (see the plot on the Graphs tab), Wollaston prisms have been used in spectrometers as well as in polarization analyzers. Thorlabs' Wollaston prisms are mounted in a Ø1" anodized, labeled housing.

Our Wollaston prims are supplied uncoated for use over the 350 - 2300 nm range, or with one of two AR coatings for the 350 - 700 nm or 650 - 1050 nm wavelength ranges. Please see the Graphs tab for reflection and transmission plots.

Wollaston prisms are commonly used in rotation mounts. Due to the thickness of the prisms, they typically need to be mounted in an SM1 lens tube (i.e., SM1L10), which can then be threaded onto a rotation mount.

For further information on the properties of calcite, please see the Calcite tab above.

Polarization-Dependent Refraction - Glan Laser Calcite Polarizer

Our calcite polarizers are all based on high-grade, birefringent, calcite crystals. Due to the birefringent structure of calcite, a differential delay is created between two orthogonally polarized waves traveling in the crystal. As shown in the image to the right, this birefringent structure creates a polarization-dependent refraction that effectively steers the polarization planes in two angles. While the ordinary plane will travel straight through the crystal, the extraordinary plane will exit the crystal at an angle proportional to the wavelength as well as the length of the crystal.

A calcite polarizer can be designed as either a polarization splitter/combiner or as a polarizer element that removes the angled, orthogonally polarized component of a beam. Our calcite polarizers are typically built out of two prisms, as shown in the drawing to the right. 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.

Calcite Polarizer Field of View (FOV)