Collection: Non-Polarizing Beamsplitter Plate
• Splits incident light into multiple beams without altering polarization
• Available in various materials for UV to IR wavelengths (250-2600 nm)
• Polarization dependence <10%, often as low as 5%
• High surface quality (<10/5) and flatness (<λ/10 at 633 nm)
• AR coating on back face reduces reflection to <0.25%
Introduction to Non-Polarizing Plate Beamsplitters
Non-polarizing plate beamsplitters are essential optical components used in various applications, including interferometry, life science instrumentation, and laser beam manipulation systems. These beamsplitters are designed to split incident light into two or more beams without altering the polarization state of the light. This feature makes them highly versatile and useful in a wide range of optical setups.
Key Specifications of Non-Polarizing Plate Beamsplitters
Materials and Wavelength Range
Non-polarizing plate beamsplitters are available in various materials to cover a broad spectrum of wavelengths. Common materials include:
- UV Fused Silica: Suitable for UV to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths (250 - 1700 nm).
- IR Fused Silica: Used for infrared wavelengths (900 - 2600 nm).
- BK7A: A borosilicate glass often used for visible and NIR applications.
- Calcium Fluoride and Zinc Selenide: For mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths.
Coatings and Polarization Independence
These beamsplitters are coated to ensure that the s and p polarization components have the same reflectance at the specified wavelength. This results in a polarization dependence of less than 10% or even as low as 5% in some cases, ensuring that the beamsplitter does not change the polarization state of the incident beam.
Surface Quality and Flatness
Non-polarizing plate beamsplitters typically have high surface quality and flatness, often specified as < λ / 10 at 633 nm, and surface quality of <10/5.
Anti-Reflection Coating
The back face of these beamsplitters is usually anti-reflection (AR) coated to minimize ghosting and interference effects. The AR coating typically reduces reflection to less than 0.25%.
Beam Splitting Ratio
These beamsplitters can be designed to split the incident light by a specified ratio, such as 50/50, with a tolerance of ±7%.
Damage Threshold
High-power versions of these beamsplitters have high laser damage thresholds, often exceeding 3 J/cm² for 10 ns pulses.
A Study Case for Selecting the Component
When selecting a non-polarizing plate beamsplitter, several factors need to be considered:
- Wavelength: Ensure the beamsplitter material is compatible with the wavelength of your light source. For example, if you are working with a Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm, you would choose a beamsplitter optimized for this wavelength.
- Power Handling: If you are working with high-power lasers, select a beamsplitter with a high damage threshold to avoid damage to the component.
- Polarization Independence: Verify that the beamsplitter has the required polarization independence to ensure it does not alter the polarization state of your beam.
- Surface Quality and Flatness: High surface quality and flatness are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the beam. Ensure the specifications meet your application's requirements.
Typical Applications and Why the Component is Used
Interferometry
Non-polarizing plate beamsplitters are ideal for interferometry applications because they ensure that the polarization state of the light remains unchanged, which is critical for accurate measurements.
Life Science Instrumentation
In life science instrumentation, these beamsplitters are used in microscopy and spectroscopy setups where maintaining the polarization state of the light is essential for accurate data collection.
Laser Beam Manipulation
In laser systems, non-polarizing plate beamsplitters are used to split laser beams into multiple paths without altering their polarization. This is particularly useful in applications such as laser material processing and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).
Optical Metrology
These beamsplitters are also used in optical metrology to ensure precise measurements by maintaining the polarization state of the light, which is crucial for accurate results.In summary, non-polarizing plate beamsplitters are versatile components that are essential in various optical applications due to their ability to split light without altering its polarization state, making them highly reliable and efficient tools in modern optics.