Wire Grid Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube


  • Polarize and Split Wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm
  • Accepts Broad Angles of Incidence and Uncollimated Light
  • High Extinction Ratio: >1 000:1 for Transmitted Beam

WPBS254-VIS

1" Wire Grid Polarizing
Beamsplitter Cube

Application Idea

WPBS254-VIS Cube Mounted in a
CM1-A4ER 30 mm Cage Cube

Related Items


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

Features

  • Transmits P-Polarized Light and Reflects S-Polarized Light
  • Unmounted 1" Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube
  • Large Field of View
  • High Extinction Ratio
    • Tp:Ts > 1 000:1 (AOI: 0° - 5°)
    • Tp:Ts > 100:1 (AOI: 0° - 25°)

Thorlabs' Wire Grid Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube consists of an array of parallel metallic wires sandwiched between two N-BK7 prisms. 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.

This type of beamsplitter cube has 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 Tp:Ts > 1 000:1 for an AOI from 0° to 5°. For higher AOI (5° to 25°), this cube can maintain an extinction ratio of Tp:Ts > 100:1.

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). The engraved dot on the top of the cube indicates the prism with the wire grid polarizer. 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 cube. Please refer to the BS Cube Mounting tab above for information on mounting options and compatibility.

This beamsplitter cube is AR coated for 400 - 700 nm (Ravg < 0.5% @ 0° AOI). 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. Mounted wire grid beamsplitting cubes are available. We also offer polarizing beamsplitter cubes at laser line wavelengths, which have a high extinction ratio of >3 000:1 (Tp:Ts).

Item # WPBS254-VIS
Design Wavelength 400 - 700 nm
AR Coating Ravg < 0.5% @ 0° AOI for 400 - 700 nm
Material N-BK7
Extinction Ratioa Tp:Ts > 1 000:1 @ 0° - 5° AOI
Tp:Ts > 100:1 @ 0° - 25° AOI
Transmission Tp > 75% (Avg.) @ 0° AOI for 400 - 700 nm
Reflectance Rs > 70% @ 0° - 25° AOI for 400 - 700 nm
Transmitted Beam Deviation <5 arcmin
Reflected Beam Deviation 90° ± 5 arcmin
Clear Apertureb >22.9 mm x 22.9 mm
Transmitted Wavefront Error <λ/4 @ 633 nm
Surface Quality 40-20 Scratch-Dig (Four Side Faces)
80-50 Scratch-Dig (Hypotenuse)
Dimensions (L = W = H) 1" (25.4 mm)
Dimensional Tolerance +0.00 mm / -0.25 mm
  • The extinction ratio (ER) is the ratio of maximum to minimum transmission of a sufficiently linearly polarized input. When the transmission axis and input polarization are parallel, the transmission is at its maximum; rotate the polarizer by 90° for minimum transmission.
  • Through Entrance Faces

Polarization Window, Straight vs. Coiled
Click to Enlarge

Click for Raw Data
The graph above shows the measured extinction ratio (ER) for transmitted light for light incident upon one of the entrance faces. The extinction ratio (also known as contrast) is the ratio of the maximum transmission of a sufficiently linearly polarized signal when the polarizer’s axis is aligned with the signal to the minimum transmission when the polarizer is rotated by 90°. The plotted data is given for AOIs of 0° and ±25°.

Polarization Window, Straight vs. Coiled
Click to Enlarge

Click for Raw Data
The graph above shows the measured transmission through the wire grid polarizing cube for p-polarized light for light incident upon one of the entrance faces. The plotted data is given for AOIs of 0° and ±25°.

Polarization Window, Straight vs. Coiled
Click to Enlarge

Click for Raw Data
The graph above shows the measured transmission through the wire grid polarizing cube for s-polarized light for light incident upon one of the entrance faces. The plotted data is given for AOIs of 0° and ±25°.

Polarization Window, Straight vs. Coiled
Click to Enlarge

Click for Raw Data
The graph above shows the measured reflectance from the wire grid polarizing cube for p-polarized light for light incident upon one of the entrance faces. The plotted data is given for AOIs of 0° and ±25°.

Polarization Window, Straight vs. Coiled
Click to Enlarge

Click for Raw Data
The graph above shows the measured reflectance from the wire grid polarizing cube for s-polarized light for light incident upon one of the entrance faces. The plotted data is given for AOIs of 0° and ±25°.

Thorlabs offers a variety of mounting solutions for our beamsplitter cubes. The mounts below allow our cubes to be post-mounted or integrated into our 16 mm or 30 mm cage systems. Post-mountable solutions are compatible with our Ø1/2" Posts as well as Ø1" Posts with 8-32 (M4) taps.

Post-Mountable Mounts for Beamsplitter Cubes
Click Photo to Enlarge
(Cubes Not Included)
Item # PCM(/M) BSH10(/M)
BSH05(/M)
BSH20(/M)
BSH1(/M)
BSH2(/M)
FBTB(/M) KM100PM(/M) KM200PM(/M) KM100B(/M) KM200B(/M) K6XS
Required Accessories Base: PCMP(/M) - - Clamp:
PM3(/M) or PM4(/M)
Clamp:
PM3(/M) or PM4(/M)
Clamp:
PM3(/M) or PM4(/M)
Clamp:
PM3(/M) or PM4(/M)
Adapter:
K6A1(/M)
Mounting Options Ø1/2" Posts Ø1/2" Postsa,b Ø1/2" Posts Ø1/2" Posts Ø1/2" Posts Ø1/2" Posts Ø1/2" Posts Ø1/2" Posts
Features Compact Compact Glue-In Mount with Precision Tip, Tilt, and Rotation Tip and Rotation Tip and Rotation Kinematic Mount Kinematic Mount 6-Axis Mount
Compatible
Beamsplitter
Cube Size(s)
Up to 20 mm 10 mm, 1/2",
20 mm, 1", 2"
5 mm Up to 20 mmc
Up to 1" d
Up to 20 mmc
Up to 1" d
Up to 2" e
Up to 20 mmc
Up to 1" d
Up to 20 mmc
Up to 1" d
Up to 2" e
5 mm
10 mm
1/2"
  • The BSH10(/M) requires a AP8E4E thread adapter to mount to a Ø1/2" Post.
  • The BSH1(/M) and BSH2(/M) can be mounted directly to an optical table using their two 1/4" (M6) counterbores.
  • With PM3(/M) Clamp
  • With PM4(/M) Clamp
  • With PM4(/M) and PM4SP(/M) Extension Post
Cage System Mounts for Beamsplitter Cubes
Click Photo to Enlarge
(Cubes Not Included)
Item # Cage Cube:
SC6W
ARV1 CRM1(/M) or CRM1P(/M) Cage Cube: C4W or C6W a CCM1-4ER(/M) CCM1-A4ER(/M) CCM1-B4ER(/M) CCM1-C4ER(/M)
Required Accessories Clamp: SB6C,
Platform: SPM2
- Adapter:
K6A1(/M)
Clamp: B6C,
Platform:
B3C(/M) or B4C(/M)
Clamp: B6C,
Platform:
B3CR(/M) or B4CRP(/M)
- - - -
Mounting
Options
16 mm Cage Systems 30 mm Cage Systems 30 mm Cage Systems or Ø1/2" Posts 30 mm Cage Systems 30 mm Cage Systems or Ø1/2" Posts
Features Compact Compact Rotation Mount Fixed or Kinematic Platforms Rotation Platforms - One Rotation Mount Two Rotation Mounts @ 180° Two Rotation Mounts @ 90°
Compatible
Beamsplitter
Cube Size(s)
10 mm 5 mm
10 mm
5 mm
10 mm
1/2"
1/2"
20 mm
1"
5 mm (with BS5CAM Adapter)
10 mm (with BS10CAM Adapter)
1/2" (with BS127CAM Adapter)
20 mm (with BS20CAM Adapter)
1" (Directly Compatible)
  • These photos illustrate two possible combinations. Any combination of cage cube, clamp, and platform is possible.

Beamsplitter Selection Guide

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. For an overview of the different types and a comparison of their features and applications, please see our overview. 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.

Plate Beamsplitters

Non-Polarizing Plate Beamsplitters
Polarizing Plate Beamsplitters
  • 45° AOI Unless Otherwise Noted
  • 30 arcmin Wedge on Round Optics Only
  • Designed for use with P-polarized light.

Cube Beamsplitters

Non-Polarizing Cube Beamsplitters
Polarizing Cube Beamsplitters

Pellicle Beamsplitters

Non-Polarizing Pellicle Beamsplitters

Crystal Beamsplitters

Polarizing Crystal Beamsplitters
  • Mounted in a protective box, unthreaded ring, or cylinder.
  • Available unmounted or mounted in a protective box or unthreaded cylinder.

Other

Other Beamsplitters

Posted Comments:
khaled.sarayeddine  (posted 2017-09-26 08:36:23.62)
Hi, Could you please let me know what is the Reflected wavefront aberration for the Wire grid PBS reference: WPBS254-VIS. YOu only discolse the transmitted wavefront aberration, but not the reflection one. I would like to check if I can use the polarizer to reflect an image with 60lp/mm! Regards
nbayconich  (posted 2019-01-02 04:18:24.0)
Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The Reflected wavefront error will be typically higher than the transmitted wavefront error for these beamsplitters. I will reach out to you directly about your application.
user  (posted 2014-10-16 10:39:55.653)
"For high power applications, we also offer high power polarizing beamsplitting cubes. " What power do you define HIGH POWER?
myanakas  (posted 2014-10-20 11:22:53.0)
Response from Mike at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. Our high-power polarizing beamsplitters, which can be found here http://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=6055&tabname=Damage Thresholds, have damage thresholds greater than 10 J/cm^2. For more information on the damage thresholds for our high-power polarizing beamsplitters, please click the link above.

Polarizer Selection Guide

Thorlabs 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.

Wire Grid Polarizers
Film Polarizers
Beamsplitting Polarizers
alpha-BBO Polarizers
Calcite Polarizers
Quartz Polarizers
Magnesium Fluoride Polarizers
Yttrium Orthovanadate (YVO4) Polarizers
Rutile Polarizers
  • Click on the graph icons in this column to view a transmission curve for the corresponding polarizer. Each curve represents one substrate sample or coating run and is not guaranteed.
  • Mounted in a protective box, unthreaded ring, or cylinder.
  • Available unmounted or in an SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) mount that indicates the polarization axis.
  • Available unmounted or in an SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) mount that indicates the polarization axis.
  • PBS519: Average TP:TS > 1000:1
  • Available unmounted or mounted in cubes for cage system compatibility.
  • Calcite's transmittance of light near 350 nm is typically around 75% (see Transmission column).
  • Available unmounted or in an unthreaded Ø1/2" housing.
  • The transmission curves for calcite are valid for linearly polarized light with a polarization axis aligned with the mark on the polarizer's housing.
  • The 1064 nm V coating corresponds to a -C26 suffix in the item number.
  • Available unmounted or mounted in a protective box or unthreaded cylinder that indicates the polarization axis.
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Wide Grid Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
WPBS254-VIS Support Documentation
WPBS254-VIS1" Wire Grid Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube, 400 - 700 nm
$472.79
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