Wire Grid Beamsplitter Cube in 30 mm Cage Cube

Transmission and Reflection of Light Through a Wire Grid Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube
(Not to Scale)

Click for Details
Each mounted wire grid beamsplitter cube is engraved with a ray diagram for one of the two preferred entrance faces.

Features

• Transmits P-Polarized Light and Reflects S-Polarized Light
• High Extinction Ratio
  • T_P:T_S > 1 000:1 (AOI: 0° - 5°)
  • T_P:T_S > 100:1 (AOI: 0° - 25°)
• Antireflective (AR) Coatings for 400 - 700 nm (R_avg < 0.5% @ 0° AOI)
• 1" (25.4 mm) Cubes in 30 mm Cage System Compatible Mounts
• Four SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Ports
• Bottom-Located 8-32 or M4 Tap for Post Mounting

Thorlabs offers wire grid polarizing beamsplitter cubes mounted in 30 mm cage system compatible housings with SM1-threaded ports. The mounted cubes consist of an array of parallel metallic wires between two N-BK7 prisms joined with optical cement. Wire grid polarizers transmit radiation with an electric field vector perpendicular to the wire and reflect radiation with the electric field vector parallel to the wire. This cube separates the s- and p-polarized components by reflecting the s-polarized component at the wire grid, while allowing the p-polarized component to pass. Due to surface reflections, the reflected beam contains both polarizations.

These beamsplitter cubes have a larger angle of incidence (AOI) than traditional broadband polarizing beamsplitter cubes. For the highest polarization extinction ratio, use the transmitted beam, which offers an extinction ratio of T_P:T_S > 1 000:1 for an AOI from 0° to 5°. For higher AOI (5° to 25°), this cube can maintain an extinction ratio of T_P:T_S > 100:1. These beamsplitter cubes are coated with an AR coating designed for 400 - 700 nm (R_avg < 0.5% @ 0° AOI). 

The wire grid is sandwiched between the hypotenuses of the two prisms that make up the cube. Then, optical cement is used to bind the two prism halves together (refer to the diagram above). Light can be input into any of the polished faces to separate the s- and p-polarizations. One possible orientation is engraved on the top of the cage cube.

A bottom-located 8-32 or M4 tap is included on each housing for post mounting. The housings feature four SM1-threaded entrance and exit ports for compatibility with our SM1 (1.035"-40) lens tubes. Four 4-40 tapped holes surrounding each port provide compatibility with our 30 mm cage systems. These mounted beamsplitters can be connected to other cage cubes through the use of our cage rods and ERSCA adapters.

We also offer unmounted versions of our wire grid beamsplitters in various sizes. Custom beamsplitter cubes can be ordered by contacting Tech Support. For high-power applications, we also offer high-power polarizing beamsplitting cubes that have damage thresholds greater than 10 J/cm². We also offer polarizing beamsplitter cubes at laser line wavelengths, which have a high extinction ratio of >3 000:1 (T_P:T_S).

Thorlabs' portfolio contains many different kinds of beamsplitters, which can split beams by intensity or by polarization. We offer plate and cube beamsplitters, though other form factors exist, including pellicle and birefringent crystal. Many of our beamsplitters come in premounted or unmounted variants. Below is a complete listing of our beamsplitter offerings. To explore the available types, wavelength ranges, splitting/extinction ratios, transmission, and available sizes for each beamsplitter category, click More [+] in the appropriate row below. 

Non-Polarizing Beamsplitters

Type	Wavelength Range	Splitting Ratio (R:T)	Typical Reflectancea (Click for Plot)	Typical Transmissiona (Click for Plot)	Available Sizes (Unmounted)
Economy	450 - 650 nm	30:70			Ø1" and Ø2"
		50:50
UV Fused Silica for UV	250 - 450 nm	50:50			Ø1/2", Ø1", 25 x 36 mm, and Ø2"
UV Fused Silica for UV to NIR	350 - 1100 nm	50:50			Ø1/2", Ø1", 25 x 36 mm, and Ø2"
UV Fused Silica for Visible	400 - 700 nm	10:90			Ø1/2", Ø1", 25 x 36 mm, and Ø2"
		30:70
		50:50
		70:30
		90:10
UV Fused Silica for Visibile to IR	600 - 1700 nm	50:50			Ø1/2", Ø1", 25 x 36 mm, and Ø2"
UV Fused Silica for NIR	700 - 1100 nm	10:90			Ø1/2", Ø1", 25 x 36 mm, and Ø2"
		30:70
		50:50
		70:30
		90:10
IR Fused Silica for IR	0.9 - 2.6 µm	50:50			Ø1/2", Ø1", 25 x 36 mm, and Ø2"
UV Fused Silica for NIR	1.2 - 1.6 µm	10:90			Ø1/2", Ø1", 25 x 36 mm, and Ø2"
		30:70
		50:50
		70:30
		90:10
CaF2 for IR	1.0 - 6.0 µm	50:50			Ø1", 25 x 36 mm, and Ø2"
	2.0 - 8.0 µm				Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2"
ZnSe for IR	1.0 - 12.0 µm	50:50			Ø1"
	7.0 - 14.0 µm				Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2"
Polka Dot	250 nm - 2.0 µm	50:50	0° and 8° 45°		Ø1", 1" x 1", and Ø2"
	350 nm - 2.0 µm		0° and 8° 45°		Ø1", 1" x 1", and Ø2"
	180 nm - 8.0 µm		0° and 12° 45°		Ø1" and Ø2"
	2.0 - 11.0 µm		0° and 10° 45°		Ø1"
Ultrafast with Low GDD	600 - 1500 nm	20:80			Ø1"
		50:50
		80:20

Type	Wavelength Range	Splitting Ratio (R:T)	Typical Transmission (Click for Plot)	Available Cube Side Length
Visible	400 - 700 nm	10:90		1"
		30:70		1"
		50:50		Unmounted: 5 mm, 10 mm, 1/2", 20 mm, 1", and 2" Mounted: 20 mm in a 16 mm Cage Cube,  1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
		70:30		1"
		90:10		1"
NIR	700 - 1100 nm	30:70		1"
		50:50		Unmounted: 5 mm, 10 mm, 1/2", 20 mm, 1", and 2" Mounted: 20 mm in a 16 mm Cage Cube, 1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
		70:30		1"
		90:10		1"
IR	1100 - 1600 nm	50:50		Unmounted: 5 mm, 10 mm, 1/2", 20 mm, 1", and 2" Mounted: 20 mm in a 16 mm Cage Cube, 1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
		70:30		1"
		90:10		1"

Type	Wavelength Range	Splitting Ratio (R:T)	Typical Reflectancea (Click for Plot)	Typical Transmissiona (Click for Plot)	Available Sizes
Pellicle	400 - 2400 nm	8:92			Unmounted: Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" Mounted: Ø1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	300 - 400 nm	45:55			Unmounted: Ø1" and Ø2" Mounted: Ø1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	400 - 700 nm	45:55			Unmounted: Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2", Mounted: Ø1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	635 nm	33:67			Unmounted: Ø1/2", Ø1", Ø2" Mounted: Ø1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	635 nm	50:50			Unmounted: Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" Mounted: Ø1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	700 - 900 nm	45:55			Unmounted: Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" Mounted: Ø1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	1.0 - 2.0 µm	45:55			Unmounted: Ø1/2", Ø1", and Ø2" Mounted: Ø1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	3.0 - 5.0 µm	45:55			Unmounted: Ø1/2" and Ø1"  Mounted: Ø1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube

• 45° AOI Unless Otherwise Noted

Polarizing Beamsplitters

Type	Center Wavelength	Extinction Ratio (TP:TS)	Typical Transmission (Click for Plot)	Available Sizes (Unmounted)
Standard	532 nm	10 000:1		Ø1"
	633 nm
	780 nm
	808 nm
	1064 nm
	1550 nm
Polarizing Bandpass Filters	355 nm	1 000 000:1		25.2 mm x 35.6 mm
	405 nm
	532 nm
	633 nm
	1064 nm

Type	Wavelength Range	Extinction Ratio (TP:TS)	Typical Transmission	Available Cube Side Length
Standard	420 - 680 nm	>1 000:1		Unmounted: 5 mm, 10 mm, 1/2", 20 mm, 1", and 2" Mounted: 20 mm in a 16 mm Cage Cube, 1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	620 - 1000 nm
	900 - 1300 nm
	1200 - 1600 nm
Wire Grid	400 - 700 nm	>1 000:1 (AOI: 0° - 5°) >100:1 (AOI: 0° - 25°)	P-Pol. S-Pol.	Unmounted: 1" Mounted: 1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
High-Power Laser Line	355 nm	>2 000:1		Unmounted: 1/2" and 1" Mounted: 1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	405 nm
	532 nm
	633 nm
	780 - 808 nm
	1064 nm
Laser Line	532 nm	>3 000:1		Unmounted: 1" Mounted: 1" in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	633 nm
	780 nm
	980 nm
	1064 nm
	1550 nm
Variable	532 nm	1:99 to 99:1	No Graph Available	Assembly Mounted in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	633 nm
	780 nm
	1064 nm
	1550 nm
Circular Polarizer/Beamsplitter	532 nm	Not Specified	No Graph Available	Assembly Mounted  in a 30 mm Cage Cube
	633 nm
	780 nm
	1064 nm
	1550 nm

Type	Wavelength Range	Extinction Ratio (TP:TS)	Beam Separation Angle (Typical)	Typcial Substrate Transmission (Click for Plot)	Typical Coating Reflectance (Click for Plot)	Available Sizes
Caclite Beam Displacers	350 nm - 2.3 µm	Not Specified	Parallel with 2.7 mm Spacing at 1500 nm		Uncoated	10 mma (Clear Aperture, Square)
			Parallel with 4.0 mm Spacing at 1500 nm			10 mma (Clear Aperture, Square)
Yttrium Orthovanadate Beam Displacer	488 nm - 3.4 µm	Not Specified	Parallel with 1.2 mm Spacing at 2000 nm		Uncoated	>3 mm x 5 mmb (Clear Aperture, Ellipse)
	2.0 µm
Wollaston Prisms	400 nm - 2.0 µm	>10 000:1	1° at 633 nm		Uncoated	Ø10 mma (Clear Aperture)
	200 nm - 6.0 µm	>10 000:1	1° 20' at 633 nm		Uncoated	Ø10 mma (Clear Aperture)
	190 nm - 3.5 µm	>100 000:1	20° at 250 nm		Protective MgF2 (No Data)	Ø10 mma (Clear Aperture)
	350 nm - 2.3 µm	>100 000:1	20° at 633 nm		Uncoated	Ø10 mmb (Clear Aperture)
						Ø10 mma (Clear Aperture)
						Ø10 mma (Clear Aperture)
	900 nm - 3.4 µm	>100 000:1	20° at 633 nm		Uncoated	Ø10 mma (Clear Aperture)
Rochon Prism	488 nm - 3.4 µm	>100 000:1	10.6° at 2 µm		Uncoated	10 mm x 10 mma (Clear Aperture)
Glan-Laser α-BBO Polarizers	210 - 450 nm	>100 000:1	119°			5 mma and 10 mma (Clear Aperture, Square)
	220 - 370 nm
	405 nm
Glan-Laser Calcite Polarizers	350 nm - 2.3 µm	100 000:1	112°			5 mma, 10 mmb, and 15 mma (Clear Aperture, Square)
	350 - 700 nm
	650 - 1050 nm
	1050 - 1700 nm
	1064 nm
Glan-Taylor Polarizers	350 nm - 2.3 µm	100 000:1	112°			5 mma, 10 mma, and 15 mma (Clear Aperture, Square)
	350 - 700 nm
	650 - 1050 nm
	1050 - 1700 nm

• Mounted in a protective box, unthreaded ring, or cylinder that indicates the polarization axis.
• Available unmounted or mounted in a protective box or unthreaded cylinder that indicates the polarization axis.

Other Beamsplitters

Type	Wavelength Range	Splitting Ratio	Substrate Transmission	Typical Reflectance	Available Sizes (Unmounted)
Wedged Plate Beamsplitter	185 nm - 2.1 µm	-		-	2" x 1" (L x H) 8.0 mm (Middle Thickness) Wedge Angle: 5°
Brewster Windows	185 nm - 2.1 µm	-			6.0 mm, 8.0 mm, 13.0 mm, 16.0 mm, 20.0 mm, and 25.0 mm (Minor Diameters)