The Arcoptix Polarization State Generator (PSG)
Ideal for transforming a linearly polarized free space beam in any wanted Polarization state (or stokes vector).

Most SOP generators found on the market are expensive and based on fiber optics technology. The Arcoptix free space Polarization State Generator (PSG) or also called Eigen State Generator (EGS), is a transmitive free space optical system that permits to generate any arbitrary Polarization state (linear, elliptic, circular) from a linear input Polarization. You can, for example, transform a vertically linear polarized laser beam into a polarized beam of any angular direction as for example 10°,15°,25°,... the device works for any wavelength in VIS range and does not need any particular adaptation.

The PSG is electrically driven (low voltage) and has no moving part. The electrical driver is connected to a PC via an USB connection and the PSG is controlled with a "easy to use" software. Also, the PSG is fully programmable and can be controlled via a DLL with a custom made program or a LabVIEW VI for example.

The compact design with 25 mm in diameter permits to insert the device in standard opto-mechanical laboratory parts without any special adaptation.

  • Optimized for free space optics
  • Spectral range from 400 to 1000nm
  • Electrically driven
  • Fully programmable
  • Easy to adapt to standard optics
  • Compact
  • Temperature controlled
  • Easy to use software
  • Labview compatible
  • USB powered
  • Cost effective

For further information, contact ARCoptix: info@arcoptix.com

How does it work ?

The Arcoptix Polarization State Generator (PSG) is a transmitive optical system that permits to generate any Polarization state (linear, elliptic, circular) from a linear input Polarization. You can, for example, transform a vertically linear polarized laser beam into a polarized beam of any angular direction as for example 10°,15°,25°,...

The system is based on a system composed of a combination of two liquid crystal variable phase retarders (see explanation below) oriented respectively by 45° and 0° with respect to the entrance Polarization orientation.

As shown in figure below, the linear input Polarization is modified by the first LCVR orientated at 45° and then by the second one at 0°. By applying the adequate voltages V1 and V2, the phase retardations of both cells can be adapted to obtain any desired output Polarization state. Actually, the relative amplitude of the X- and Y-Polarization components of the output light is controlled by the first LCVR oriented at 45°, whereas the phase difference of the same components is controlled by the second LCVR. Therefore, by controlling the voltages applied to the two LCVRs, any states of Polarization for the output beam can be generated.

The figure below shows you a sequence of linearly Polarization of various orientations can be obtained from a linearly polarized laser beam by sequentially adjusting V1 and V2.

Applications:
  • PSG for optics laboratories
  • Birefringence measurement
  • Polarization analysis
  • Biology
  • Microscopy
General Specs table:
Features Polarization State Generator
Usable spectral range 350-1000 nm
Aperture 10 mm
Ellipticity precision of the SOP >5%
Ellipticity repeatability 0.2° on Poincaré sphere
Angular precision of the SOP <1° on Poincaré sphere
Angular repeatability 0.2° on Poincaré sphere
Ellipticity of a linear output Polarization <1%
Transmission (VIS) ~85%
Wavefront distortion < l/4
Temperature control 0.1 °C
Retarder material Nematic Liquid-Crystal Dn=0.14
Substrates material Glass
SOP max. switching Frequency 10 Hz
SOP switching time 50 ms
Software interface Windows XP / 7
Operating voltage 5V (USB powered)
Max. optical power 100 W/cm2 CW
100 mJ/cm2 10 ns, visible
50 mJ/cm2 10 ns, 1064 nm
Communication interface USB
Product Dimensions (including electronics) 25mm in Diam. 80mm long
Product Weight 200 g
Operating Temperature 15-35°C
Software

The Arcoptix PSG is delivered with a free Windows XP, 2000, Windows 7 (32 and 64 bits) compatible program. The software recognizes automatically the spectrometer (USB plug and play system) and is able to:

  • Set any desired SOP with its stokes vector
  • Set any desired SOP with its orientation and ellipticity
  • Configure wavelength of the source
  • Make a time sequence of SOP via a simple script that can be loaded in the program
  • Show the SOP on the Poincaré sphere
  • Show the projected SOP
DOWNLOADPDF description not available for the moment