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Series PAZ and PAG Polarizer-Analyzer-Attenuators

Features·

High extinction ratio· Energy escape port · Compact design

Function·

Polarization of unpolarized beams· Analysis of the polarization properties of arbitrarily polarized beams · Continuously variable attenuation of linear polarized beams · Electro-optic modulation systems · Other polarization-sensitive systems

Providing·

High CW power-handling capability and high pulse-damage threshold· Visible transmission for ease of alignment (Series PAZ only) · Low insertion loss (>98% transmission for Series PAZ, >95% for Series PAG) · Minimum beam distortion; minimum beam deviation · Modular construction · Broadband operation, 2 to 14µm

More Compact Design

Even though these units now contain more plates, the basic concept has produced the most compact design possible. An added plus is the rectangular cross-section of the new units, which eliminates any guessing as to where the plane of polarization of the transmitted beam lies, since it is exactly parallel to the long dimen- sion of the rectangle.

Energy Escape Port

Incorporated into the design concept is a user’s option which allows the main portion of the rejected beam to exit the housing by simply removing a metal cover plate. This rejected beam can then be put to useful purpose (i.e., to fire a laser-triggered spark gap). Allowing the rejected beam to exit the housing also in- creases the power-handling capability. The rejected beam can be dumped into a water-cooled or heat-sink- cooled option. In addition, this rejected beam is almost perfectly polarized.Series PAZ and PAG polarizer-analyzer-attenuators are specially tailored to the needs of the high-power CW and pulsed-laser user, although their rugged construction and ease of use makes them attractive for any polarization-sensitive IR application when reliability, versatility, and accuracy are important. The maximum power-handling capability of these units is at this time unknown—a 15-mm aperture H2O-cooled PAZ has performed successfully in a 1,000-watt CW CO2 laser beam; the 20-mm aperture PAZs should take much more. In the event a unit becomes damaged from excessive power levels, the unique modular construc- tion allows quick repair or replacement of the damaged component, minimizing downtime and repair expense.