• An adjustable, precision beamsplitter for serious holography and interferometry!

• Internal quartz l/2 plates and cube beamsplitter divide an incoming polarized laser beam into S and P component beams.

• Rotate the entry and exit ports to fine-tune output to ANY combination of polarization type and intensity!

• Uses 10-mm polarizing beamsplitter cube and three 10-mm-diameter half-wave plates.

• Mounts on standard post with ¼-20-in. setscrew.

• Removable top plate allows access to polarizing cube for change to any 10-mm cube for other wavelengths.

When ordering, please specify wavelength and laser power.

• Splits a plane-polarized beam into two beams, the intensity ratio of which can be varied
• Enables the user to set the polarization of each of the output beams to S (perpendicular) to P (parallel)

USES:

• As a beam splitter in holography to provide an adjustable intensity ratio and fringe stability
• For precision interferometry applications
• For general laser/optical laboratory applications
• As a Q-switch for low-power lasers

HOW IT WORKS:

Each of the three ports contains a quartz λ/2 plate; inside the unit is a polarizing cube beam splitter.  A laser beam entering the unit passes through the first λ/2 plate, which can be used to adjust the plane of polarization.  When the beam reaches the beam splitter cube, the S (perpendicular) component of the beam is reflected at a right angle to the original axis while the P (perpendicular) component is transmitted straight through.  Thus, the first plate controls the intensity ratio.  Finally, each of the beams passes through another λ/2 plate, which can be used to alter the plane of polarization of each.

1. Housing: post mounted (1/4" - 20 threads)
    a. Width: 2.000" x 2.000" (50.8 mm x 50.8 mm)
    b. Height: 2.000" (50.8 mm)
    c. Plate Carrier Diameter: 0.75" (19.05 mm)
    d. Aperture Diameter: 0.400" (10.17 mm)

2. Half-Wave Plate
    a. Total of 3 (10 mm diameter)
    b. Quartz Half-Wave Plates
        I. Tenth Wave Surface (λ/10)
        II. Antireflection Coating

3. Polarizing Cube (two right-angle prisms)
    a. Material: BK7, grade A fine annealed
                     (IR is silica)
    b. Antireflection Coating: 0.25%-all sides
    c. Glass Quality: 40-20 scratch and dig
    d. Wave front Distortion: λ/2 at 633 nm
    e. Flatness: 1/10 wave

4. Overall Specifications:
    a. Principal Transmittance:
        I.  >98% for P-polarization
        II. >2% for S-polarization
    b. Principal Reflectance
         I.  >98% for S-polarization
        II. < 2% for P-polarization
    c. Beam Deviation: < 3 arc min

5. Comes with the following:
    a. Hard carry case
    b. Base support
    c. Post and Post holder (specify size)