WOLLASTONE POLARIZER
Keywords:
Keywords:
WOLLASTONE POLARIZER
Basic Parameters
We can provide Wollaston Polarizer in a variety of materials, including Calcite crystals, A-BBO crystals, quartz crystals, YVO4 crystals, etc. Wollaston Polarizer is made of two crystals bonded or photoadhesive, which can change the incident unpolarized light into two orthogonal polarized light beams. It can work in a wide band range, and the field of view is relatively large. Unlike other polarizers, both of Wollaston's output beams are highly polarized, with extinction ratios greater than 10,000:1 or 100,000:1.
The beam separation Angle can be customized according to customer requirements, and the beam splitting output can be achieved at any Angle from 0 to 25°. The material of the prism can be selected according to the size of the beam splitting Angle and the band used.
|
FEATURES |
|
The output of splitting unpolarized light into two beams |
|
Wide band applications |
|
Each output light has a high extinction ratio |
|
Can customize the beam splitting Angle required |
Processing Index
| Specifications | Calcite | a-BBO | Quartz | YVO4 |
| Wavelength | 350-2000nm | 190-3500nm | 200-2300nm | 500-4000nm |
| Extinction Ratio | <5*10-5 | <5*10-6 | <5*10-5 | <5*10-6 |
| Surface Quality | 20/10 Scratch/Dig | |||
| Beam Deflection | < 3 arc minutes | |||
| TWD | <λ/4@633nm | |||
| LIDT | >200MW/cm2@1064nm, 20ns, 20Hz | |||
| Coating | P Coating，Customizable | |||
| Mount |
Anodized aluminum mount Square and round optional |
|||
A-BBO Standard Products:
| Type | Wavelength | Extinction Ratio | Angle | CA(mm) | Prism Dimension (mm) | Round Mount (mm) |
| GWP1006 | 190-3500nm | <5*10-6 | >15° | φ6.0 | 6.0*6.0*7.0 | φ15.0*15.0 |
| GWP1010 | φ10.0 | 10.0*10.0*11.0 | φ25.4*19.0 | |||
| GWP1015 | φ15.0 | 15.0*15.0*16.0 | φ30.0*23.0 | |||
| GWP1020 | φ20.0 | 20.0*20.0*21.0 | φ38.0*29.0 |
Calcite Standard Products:
| Type | Wavelength | Extinction Ratio | Angle | CA (mm) | Prism Dimension (mm) | Round Mount (mm) |
| GWP2006 | 350-2300nm | <5*10-5 | >18° | φ6.0 | 6.0*6.0*7.0 | φ15.0*15.0 |
| GWP2010 | φ10.0 | 10.0*10.0*11.0 | φ25.4*19.0 | |||
| GWP2015 | φ15.0 | 15.0*15.0*16.0 | φ30.0*23.0 | |||
| GWP2020 | φ20.0 | 20.0*20.0*21.0 | φ38.0*29.0 |
/YVO4 Standard Products:
| Type | Wavelength | Extinction Ratio | Angle | CA (mm) |
Prism Dimension (mm) |
Round Mount (mm) |
| GWP3006 | 500-4000nm | <5*10-6 | >20° | φ6.0 | 6.0*6.0*6.1 | φ15.0*15.0 |
| GWP3010 | φ10.0 | 10.0*10.0*9.5 | φ25.4*19.0 | |||
| GWP3015 | φ15.0 | 15.0*15.0*13.7 | φ30.0*23.0 | |||
| GWP3020 | φ20.0 | 20.0*20.0*18.0 | φ38.0*29.0 |
Quartz Quartz Standard Products:
| Type | Wavelength | Extinction Ratio | Beam Splitting Angle | CA (mm) |
Prism Dimension (mm) |
Round Mount (mm) |
| GWP4006 | 200-2300nm | <5*10-5 | >2° | φ6.0 | 6.0*6.0*12.0 | φ15.0*20.0 |
| GWP4010 | φ10.0 | 10.0*10.0*20.0 | φ25.4*28.0 | |||
| GWP4015 | φ15.0 | 15.0*15.0*30.0 | φ30.0*38.0 | |||
| GWP4020 | φ20.0 | 20.0*20.0*40.0 | φ38.0*48.0 |
The Wollaston Polarizer is a precision optical device designed to divide an incoming unpolarized light beam into two orthogonally polarized rays. This unique function is achieved by bonding or photoadhesively combining two birefringent crystal prisms with their optical axes oriented perpendicular to each other. When light enters the prism assembly, it is separated into an ordinary and an extraordinary beam, which exit the prism at a fixed divergence angle.
Depending on the application requirements, the Wollaston polarizer can be manufactured using various optical materials such as Calcite, α-BBO (Beta-Barium Borate), Quartz, and YVO₄ (Yttrium Orthovanadate). Each material provides distinct optical properties, allowing users to achieve optimal results for different wavelength ranges and beam divergence needs. For example, α-BBO is highly transparent from 190 nm to 3500 nm, while YVO₄ is suitable for infrared applications extending up to 4000 nm.
Unlike traditional polarizing devices that only produce one polarized output, the Wollaston Polarizer outputs two beams that are both highly polarized, making it an excellent choice for applications requiring high extinction ratios — typically better than 10,000:1, and in some designs reaching 100,000:1.
The beam separation angle can be precisely customized between 0° and 25°, depending on the chosen crystal material and wavelength region. Larger angles are usually achieved using materials with greater birefringence, such as Calcite or YVO₄, while smaller angles are often designed using Quartz. This flexibility allows the polarizer to meet the demands of research-grade optical systems, interferometers, and laser polarization analysis instruments.
Key Characteristics and Advantages
-
High Extinction Ratio: Both output beams possess superior polarization purity, minimizing crosstalk between orthogonal polarization states.
-
Broad Wavelength Coverage: Depending on the crystal type, the device can function effectively across UV, visible, and IR regions (190–4000 nm).
-
Excellent Optical Quality: Every prism is carefully polished to a surface quality of 20/10 scratch/dig, ensuring minimal scattering and wavefront distortion.
-
Precision Beam Control: Beam deflection accuracy is kept within 3 arc minutes, and transmitted wavefront distortion (TWD) is less than λ/4 @ 633 nm.
-
High Laser Damage Threshold: The device withstands laser fluences exceeding 200 MW/cm² @ 1064 nm, 20 ns, 20 Hz, ensuring long-term stability under high-intensity operation.
-
Customizable Coatings and Mounts: Anti-reflection coatings (P-coating or custom types) are available, and the prisms are securely housed in anodized aluminum mounts—both square and circular versions are optional.
Applications
Wollaston Polarizers are indispensable in scientific and industrial optical systems where high polarization purity and angular separation are required. They are widely used in:
-
Laser beam diagnostics and polarization analysis
-
Optical metrology and interferometry
-
Spectroscopic systems
-
Polarization-based imaging and microscopy
-
Fiber optics and photonics research
The device’s robust performance, coupled with customizable design parameters, makes it a trusted component for both laboratory use and OEM system integration.
Material Selection and Custom Options
Each crystal material offers specific advantages:
-
Calcite: Extremely high birefringence, ideal for large beam separation angles up to 18°–25°, operating between 350–2300 nm.
-
α-BBO: Excellent UV transmission down to 190 nm, moderate birefringence, supporting angles around 15°.
-
Quartz: Low birefringence, perfect for small-angle separation (around 2°) in the 200–2300 nm range.
-
YVO₄: Suitable for high-power IR applications (500–4000 nm) with large separation angles (>20°).
All models are available in multiple aperture sizes (6 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, and 20 mm clear aperture) and corresponding precision mounts ranging from φ15 mm to φ38 mm.
Conclusion
With exceptional optical uniformity, broad spectral compatibility, and precise control over polarization characteristics, the Wollaston Polarizer continues to serve as an essential optical component in advanced photonic and laser systems. Whether for research laboratories, high-end measurement devices, or integrated optical setups, our custom-engineered Wollaston Polarizers deliver stable, reliable, and repeatable performance across a wide spectral range.
Solutions
Scientific research and testing field
Aviation field
Medical cosmetology field
Laser field
Related Products
YVO4
Yttrium alumate (YVO4) is an excellent birefringent crystal material, which is a negative uniaxial crystal. The crystal has good physical and mechanical properties, wide light transmission range, high transmittance, large birefringence coefficient and easy processing. YVO4 crystal can replace ice SPAR and crystal red stone in the field of optical fiber communication, is the key material in optical communication passive devices such as optical isolators, circulators, polarization splitters, polarizers.
Caicite
Caicite Crystal is a kind of natural birefringent material, in the shape of diamond, birefringence coefficient is large, through the spectrum is wide, from visible to near infrared has relatively good optical properties. Although the mechanical strength of Iceland SPAR material is soft and easy to scratch, it still does not affect its wide application in polarization devices. Caicite is mainly used in Glan POLARIZER.
LiNbO3
LiNbO3 is widely used in optical fiber communication as a birefringent crystal. The crystal has good physical and mechanical properties, wide light transmission range, high transmittance, easy processing, and lower material cost than other materials. Lithium niobate crystals are widely used in passive optical communication devices such as optical isolators, circulators, polarization splitters, polarizers, etc
POLARIZING BEAM SPLITTER（PBS）
The polarization splitter prism is plated with a multilayer film structure on the inclined surface of the right Angle prism, and then glued into a cube structure. By taking advantage of the property that the transmission rate of P-polarized light is 1 and that of S-polarized light is less than 1 when the light incident at Brewster Angle, the P polarization component can be completely penetrated after the light passes through the multilayer film structure at Brewster Angle for many times. And most of the S polarization component is reflected. Note: Specific bands and extinction ratios can be customized according to customer requirements.
Product Inquiry
*Note: Please be sure to fill in the information accurately and keep the communication open. We will contact you as soon as possible.
