Collection: Non-Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube

Key Specifications of Non-Polarizing Cube Beamsplitters

• Construction: These beamsplitters are made of two right-angle prisms cemented together with a partially reflecting surface on the internal face. The prisms are typically made from N-BK7 glass, known for its high optical quality and durability.
• Wavelength Range: Non-polarizing cube beamsplitters are available for different wavelength ranges, such as 400-700 nm (visible range) and 750-1100 nm (near-infrared range). The coatings are optimized for these specific ranges to ensure minimal polarization dependence.
• Splitting Ratio: These beamsplitters can provide various splitting ratios, including 10:90, 30:70, 50:50, 70:30, and 90:10. The most common ratio is 50:50, which splits the incident light into two equal beams.
• Anti-Reflection Coating: All four faces of the beamsplitter cube are broadband anti-reflection (AR) coated to minimize reflections and maximize transmission efficiency. The AR coating reduces average reflectance to less than 0.5% over the specified wavelength range.
• Surface Quality and Flatness: The surface quality of these beamsplitters is typically 40-20 scratch and dig, and the surface flatness is λ/4 at 633 nm. This ensures high optical performance and minimal distortion.
• Beam Deviation: The reflected beam deviation is usually less than 5 arcminutes, ensuring that the split beams maintain their original direction with minimal deviation.
• Mounting Options: Non-polarizing cube beamsplitters can be supplied unmounted or mounted in various configurations, such as cage cubes or kinematic mounts, to simplify integration into optical systems.

Study Case for Selecting the Component

When selecting a non-polarizing cube beamsplitter, several factors need to be considered:

• Wavelength Range: Ensure the beamsplitter is optimized for the wavelength range of your application. For example, if you are working with visible light, a beamsplitter coated for 400-700 nm would be appropriate.
• Splitting Ratio: Choose a beamsplitter with the desired splitting ratio based on your application needs. A 50:50 ratio is common for many applications, but other ratios may be necessary depending on the specific requirements.
• Polarization Independence: Since these beamsplitters are non-polarizing, they are ideal for applications where maintaining the polarization state of the light is crucial. Ensure the beamsplitter has a low polarization dependence, typically |Ts-Tp| < 6%.
• Optical Quality and Surface Flatness: High surface quality and flatness are essential for minimizing optical aberrations and ensuring accurate beam splitting. Look for beamsplitters with λ/4 surface flatness at 633 nm and 40-20 scratch and dig surface quality.

Typical Applications and Why the Component is Used

Non-polarizing cube beamsplitters are used in a variety of applications due to their unique properties:

• Interferometry: In interferometric setups, these beamsplitters are used to split and recombine light beams without altering their polarization states, which is crucial for accurate phase measurements.
• Spectroscopy: In spectroscopic instruments, non-polarizing beamsplitters help in splitting the incident light into different paths for analysis, ensuring that the polarization state does not affect the measurement results.
• Laser Systems: These beamsplitters are used in laser systems to split laser beams into multiple paths without introducing polarization-dependent losses. This is particularly important in applications requiring precise control over the laser beam.
• Optical Imaging: In optical imaging systems, non-polarizing cube beamsplitters can be used to split the light path for different imaging channels, ensuring that the polarization state of the light does not affect the image quality.

Overall, non-polarizing cube beamsplitters are versatile components that offer precise beam splitting with minimal polarization dependence, making them essential in various optical and laser-based applications.