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SCRAMBLERS

It seems that it is easier to linearly polarize light than completely scramble it. Complete scrambling or depolarization means that azimuth and phase of the light beam is random at any instant. We make monochromatic as well polychromatic depolarizers from crystals of calcite, quartz and magnesium fluoride.

Monochromatic scramblers which are designed for use with a single wavelength or a narrow spectrum of light are of single or double wedge type. The wedge shape causes a slight doubling effect and may be unsuitable for imaging systems. These must be oriented at 45 degrees to the plane of polarization of incoming light.

Polychromatic scramblers are used to depolarize a wide bandwidth at one time. These are of single plate multi order or double plate Lyot type. A Lyot scrambler is made of two multi order retarders having thickness ratio of 2 : 1 and with fast axis of one aligned at 45 degrees to fast axis of the other.

Single Wedge Scrambler

Diagram showing 45 light polarization.

Double Wedge Scrambler

Diagram showing 45 light reflection.

Lyot Scrambler

Here's an alt tag for the image: `Diagram: light refraction through a lens`

Specifications:

surface flatness : at least quarter wave @ 633 nm over the clear aperture
surface quality : 40-20 scratch dig
reflectivity per surface : uncoated about 4%; V coated less than .25%, BB coated about 1.5%, HEAR coated about .7% average
please visit Anti Reflection Coating page for reflectivity plots of available coatings

SCRAMBLERS ( MONOCHROMATIC )

CALCITE / CRYSTAL QUARTZ / MAGNESIUM FLUORIDE

Catalog Number

Dimensions

mm

Thickness

mm

 Type

Wedge Angle

Degrees

Divergence

Arc Minutes

Average Beam Deviation Arc Minutes Substrate

Clear

Aperture 

Diameter

 Size
SQW-10 10 12.5*12.5 3 Max Single Wedge 3.0 1.6 98.7 Crystal Quartz
SQW-22 22 25.4*25.4 5 Max Single Wedge 1.5 0.8 49.3 Crystal Quartz
SCW-10 10 12.5*12.5 3 Max Single Wedge 3.0 30.8 102.9 Calcite
SCW-22 22 25.4*25.4 5 Max Single Wedge 1.5 15.4 51.4 Calcite
SMW-10 10 12.5*12.5 3 Max Single Wedge 3.0 2.1 69.0 Magnesium Fluoride
SMW-22 22 25.4*25.4 5 Max Single Wedge 1.5 1.1 34.5 Magnesium Fluoride
SQWC-10 10 12.5*12.5 5 Double Wedge Cemented 3.0 3.3 Zero Nominal Crystal Quartz 
SQWC-22 22 25.4*25.4 5 Double Wedge Cemented 1.5 1.6 Zero Nominal Crystal Quartz
SQWO-10 10 12.5*12.5 5 Double Wedge Contacted 3.0 3.3 Zero Nominal Crystal Quartz
SQWO-22 22 25.4*25.4 5 Double Wedge Contacted 1.5 1.6 Zero Nominal Crystal Quartz
SCWC-10 10 12.5*12.5 5 Double Wedge Cemented 3.0 61.4 Zero Nominal Calcite
SCWC-22 22 25.4*25.4 5 Double Wedge Cemented 1.5 30.7 Zero Nominal Calcite
SMWO-10 10 12.5*12.5 5 Double Wedge Contacted 3.0 4.2 Zero Nominal Magnesium Fluoride
SMWO-22 22 25.4*25.4 5 Double Wedge Contacted 1.5 2.1 Zero Nominal Magnesium Fluoride
  All scramblers are supplied unmounted. Optional mounts for these are available upon request.

CALCITE / CRYSTAL QUARTZ / MAGNESIUM FLUORIDE

SCRAMBLERS ( POLYCHROMATIC )

Catalog Number

Dimensions

mm

Thickness

mm

 Type Average Beam Deviation Arc Minutes Substrate

Clear

Aperture

Diameter

 Size
SQS-10 10 12.5 Diameter 5 Single Plate 98.7 Crystal Quartz
SQWS22 22 25.4 Diameter 5 Single Plate 49.3 Crystal Quartz
SCS-10 10 12.5 Diameter 2 Single Plate 102.9 Calcite
SCS-22 22 25.4 Diameter 2 Single Plate 51.4 Calcite
SMS-10 10 12.5 Diameter 5 Single Plate 69.0 Magnesium Fluoride
SMS-22 22 25.4 Diameter 5 Single Plate 34.5 Magnesium Fluoride
SQLC-10 10 12.5*12.5 6 Double Plate Lyot Zero Nominal Crystal Quartz
SQLC-22 22 25.4*25.4 6 Double Plate Lyot Zero Nominal Crystal Quartz
SQLO-10 10 12.5*12.5 6 Double Plate Lyot Zero Nominal Crystal Quartz
SQLO-22 22 25.4*25.4 6 Double Plate Lyot Zero Nominal Crystal Quartz
SCLC-10 10 12.5*12.5 6 Double Plate Lyot Zero Nominal Calcite
SCLC-22 22 25.4*25.4 6 Double Plate Lyot Zero Nominal Calcite
SMLO-10 10 12.5*12.5 6 Double Plate Lyot Zero Nominal Magnesium Fluoride
SMLO-22 22 25.4*25.4 6 Double Plate Lyot Zero Nominal Magnesium Fluoride
  All scramblers are supplied unmounted. Optional mounts for these are available upon request.