Continuously variable retardation over a broad wavelength range.

Properties

The Babinet-Soleil Compensator consists of a pair of birefringent wedges with an identical wedge angle and a compensator plate. A long wedge (44 x 14 mm) slides relative to a fixed wedge (14 x 14 mm) to give different retardance while maintaining a uniform retardance across the aperture. The thickness of the compensator plate is matched to provide zero path difference approximately in the center of the long wedge (the zero position). A precision micrometer is used to move the long wedge smoothly and continuously.

Fields of Application

The BSC 100 Babinet-Soleil Compensator serves a continuously variable retardation element over a broad wavelength range. It can also be used for the precise adjustment of any waveplate. As it is manufactured without using cement, this optic is also suitable for high power laser applications.