Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder
KEY FEATURES
- Computer control capability
- Temperature control options
- Usable from 450 to 1800 nm
- Precision non-mechanical retardation control
DESCRIPTION
To prevent ionic buildup, which can damage the liquid crystal layer, liquid crystal devices should be electrically driven with an AC waveform with little to no DC component. We require a 2 kHz square wave of adjustable amplitude for controlling our Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders (LCVRs). Our Basic Controller and Four Channel Interface ensure these drive requirements are met.
A temperature sensing and control option can be added to our LCVRs for accurate control of the operating temperature. A temperature sensor is attached directly to the LCVR substrate, outside its clear aperture and a heater is attached to the LCVR housing. This provides active heating and passive cooling of the liquid crystal device.
| Specifications - Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder | |
| Retarder Material | Nematic liquid crystal |
| Substrate Material | Optical quality synthetic fused silica |
| Wavelength Range | 450-1800 nm (specify) |
| Retardance Range | |
|
Without compensator With compensator |
~30 nm to λ/2 0 to λ/2 |
| Transmitted Wavefront Distortion | ≤ λ/4 |
| Surface Quality (scratch-dig) | 40-20 |
| Beam Deviation | ≤ 2 arc min |
| Reflectance (per surface) | ≤ 0.5% at normal incidence |
| Temperature | 0˚C to +50˚C |
| Laser Damage Threshold |
500 W/cm2, CW 300 mJ/cm2, 10 ns, visible |
| Ordering Information - Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder | |||
|
Clear Aperture in. [mm] |
Diameter ± 0.005 in. [± 0.13 mm] |
Thickness in. [mm] |
Part Number |
| Without Attached Compensator (30 nm to λ/2) | |||
|
0.37 [9.4] |
Ø1.00 [Ø25.4] |
1.23 [31.2] |
LVR-100 |
|
0.70 [17.8] |
Ø2.00 [Ø50.8] |
0.75 [19.1] |
LVR-200 |
|
1.60 [40.6] |
Ø3.00 [Ø76.2] |
1.00 [25.4] |
LVR-300 |
| With Attached Compensator (0 nm to λ/2) | |||
|
0.37 [9.4] |
Ø1.00 [Ø25.4] |
1.23 [31.2] |
LRC-100 |
|
0.70 [17.8] |
Ø2.00 [Ø50.8] |
0.75 [19.1] |
LRC-200 |
|
1.60 [40.6] |
Ø3.00 [Ø76.2] |
1.00 [25.4] |
LRC-300 |
|
We offer standard liquid crystal retarders to cover four spectral regions:
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Please specify spectral region when placing your order For temperature control options, append-TSC to part number. |
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