Variable Attenuators
Variable Attenuators
The VA series of variable attenuators are composed of specially designed thin film polarizers, zero-order achromatic waveplates and high precision opto-mechanics, all incorporated into shuttered housings. The design is compact, robust and easy to use. Ideal for attenuating CW and pulsed fixed wavelength lasers.
- Negligible dispersion over entire working range
- Adjustable intensity of parallel S- and P- output ports
- High optical damage threshold See All Features
Specifications
- Attenuation Range<0.2%-99% (S-), <0.2%-94% (P-) @ center wavelength
- Extinction Ratio>1:450 after 1st polarizer
>1:500 after 2nd polarizer
- Damage Threshold>75 mJ/cm2, 100 fs @ center wavelength
- Clear Aperture15 mm
Features
Compact Industrial Housing
Close-up of exit port and beam dump
The housing ensures the internal optics are free from dust and other contaminants, and eliminates perturbations of the beam due to ambient air conditions; crucial considerations in ultrafast laser applications. A manual shutter and beam dump are included to control the S- and P-polarized output beams. The housing also contains threads for mounting on metric or English optical posts.
Manual or Motorized Versions
Left to right: Manual and Motorized Variable Attenuators
The VA series of variable attenuators offer either manual or motorized rotation of the waveplate, allowing for continuous variation of the intensity ratio of the two output beams while maintaining all other beam parameters.
Two Prealigned Thin Film Polarizers
Two thin film polarizers are pre-aligned in the housing and optimized for wavelength ranges of 350 - 360 nm, 522 - 542 nm, 780 - 820 nm, or 1034 - 1094 nm. The P-polarized output passes through the first thin film polarizer with negligible beam displacement, while the S-polarized output is reflected off both thin film polarizers and offset in parallel one inch.
Resources
Literature
Variable Attenuators and Beam Splitters(5.4 MB, PDF)
