Phase Shifting Mirrors: An Alternative to Traditional Waveplates
Laser systems are growing increasingly complex, and laser intensities are becoming higher than ever before. Due to these advances, conventional quartz waveplates are beginning to approach their limits. The reasons for this are that the waveplates are bounded by the Laser Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) of the intrinsic material and the physical size of naturally occurring quartz. There are also limits to waveplate polishing, leading to imperfections on the surface. This causes inhomogeneities in the phase across the diameter of the beam.
Hybrid dielectric-metal coatings specifically designed for polarization control provide an alternative coating approach. Advantages of this method include not being limited to the size of naturally occurring material and high LIDT due to the reflection from dielectric layers. Along with this method, the coating can be specifically tailored to the application through the coating design process, also allowing the manufacturing of broadband, phase shifting mirrors.
Phase shifting mirrors produced by Manx Precision Optics (MPO) are capable of good performance over broad bandwidths, due to broadband reflectivity over 99%, low Group Delay Dispersion, and broad characteristic phase delay.
To request more information or a quotation for these or other Manx Precision Optics products, contact IL Photonics.