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Calcite Wollaston

Calcite Wollaston prism polarizer is made of two prisms which are cemented together. The two output beams in a Wollaston polarizer exit with unequal beam deviation ( asymmetry ) which is given in the table below. The beam separation angle is dependent on wavelength. Useable range of this polarizer is from 350 nm to 2300 nm.

Here's an alt tag for the image: `Diagram showing light reflection and refraction`
Specifications :

 
A grade calcite  : quarter to one wave wavefront deformation @ 633 nm due to striae  only
S grade calcite : quarter wave wavefront deformation @ 633 nm due to striae  only
surface flatness      : at least quarter wave @ 633 nm over the clear aperture
surface quality  : 40-20 scratch dig
transmission ( uncoated )  : 35-40% at 350 nm, 65-70% at 400 nm, 80-88% at 500 nm and longer wavelengths  
   please visit Anti Reflection Coating page for reflectivity plots of available coatings
 

Calcite is a natural  mined crystal . Defects in bulk calcite are characterized by bubbles ( presence of randomly scattered bubbles vary from relatively large to small sizes and fine bubble lines), striae ( streaks of sudden variation of refractive index which can be detected interferometrically ), optical inhomogeneity ( gradual variation of refractive index in bulk material ) and stress birefringence ( variation of birefringence in bulk material due to defective growth of the crystal ). These defects cause degradation of polarization and transmission loss due to scattering and absorption.
CALCITE WOLLASTON

Catalog Number

Clear Aperture
Diameter (mm)

Angular Separation
@ 600 nm
(Degrees)

Asymmetry
@ 600 nm
(Degrees)

Mount Dimensions
(Inches)

 Remarks

Outside
Diameter
+/- .0015

Length
+/- .007
MW2A-10- 5 10 5 1/6 .748 .625

 

Grade A

Extinction 1*10^-5

 
MW2A-10-10 10 10 1/4 .748 .625
MW2A-10-15 10 15 1/2 .748 .750
MW2A-10-20 10 20 1 .748 .750
MW2A-12- 5 12 5 1/6 .873 .750

Grade A

Extinction 1*10^-5
MW2A-12-10 12 10 1/4 .873 .750
MW2A-12-15 12 15 1/2 .873 .750
MW2A-12-20 12 20 1 .873 .875
MW2A-15- 5 15 5 1/6 .998 .750

Grade A

Extinction 1*10^-5
MW2A-15-10 15 10 1/4 .998 .750
MW2A-15-15 15 15 1/2 .998 .875
MW2A-15-20 15 20 1 .998 1.000
MW2A-20- 5 20 5 1/6 1.373 .750

Grade A

Extinction 1*10^-5
MW2A-20-10 20 10 1/4 1.373 .750
MW2A-20-15 20 15 1/2 1.373 1.188
MW2A-20-20 20 20 1 1.373 1.188
MW2S-10- 5 10 5 1/6 .748 .625

Grade S

Extinction 5*10^-6
MW2S-10-10 10 10 1/4 .748 .625
MW2S-10-15 10 15 1/2 .748 .750
MW2S-10-20 10 20 1 .748 .750
MW2S-12- 5 12 5 1/6 .873 .750

Grade S

Extinction 5*10^-6
MW2S-12-10 12 10 1/4 .873 .750
MW2S-12-15 12 15 1/2 .873 .750
MW2S-12-20 12 20 1 .873 .875
MW2S-15- 5 15 5 1/6 .998 .750

Grade S

Extinction 5*10^-6
MW2S-15-10 15 10 1/4 .998 .750
MW2S-15-15 15 15 1/2 .998 .875
MW2S-15-20 15 20 1 .998 1.000
MW2S-20- 5 20 5 1/6 1.373 .750

Grade S

Extinction 5*10^-6
MW2S-20-10 20 10 1/4 1.373 .750
MW2S-20-15 20 15 1/2 1.373 1.188
MW2S-20-20 20 20 1 1.373 1.188