click me!

Wollaston Prism

  • Four Substrate Materials: Alpha-BBO, Calcite, YVO4, and Quartz
  • High extinction ratio 200000:1 (Alpha-BBO, YVO4); 20000:1(Calcite, Quartz)
  • Generating symmetrical light beams of orthogonal polarization, equal intensities, and large separation angles
  • Various coating options: broadband AR coatings (190-3500nm, 350-2300nm, 500-4000nm, 200-2300nm), P-coatings
  • Standardized aperture sizes including φ6mm, φ10mm, φ12.7mm, φ15mm, φ20mm available in stock
  • Separation Angle  2°, 15°, 18°, 20°,or custom
Inquire for custom product  
Code Material Wavelength Aperture Separation Angle Extinction Ratio Mount Unit Price Delivery Cart
20704-001 Alpha-BBO 190-3500nm ɸ6mm >15° <5x10-6 ɸ15x15mm $230 4 weeks
20704-002 Alpha-BBO 190-3500nm ɸ10mm >15° <5x10-6 ɸ25.4x19mm $415 2 weeks
20704-003 Alpha-BBO 190-3500nm ɸ12.7mm >15° <5x10-6 ɸ25.4x21mm $495 4 weeks
20704-004 Alpha-BBO 190-3500nm ɸ15mm >15° <5x10-6 ɸ30x23mm $660 4 weeks
20704-005 Alpha-BBO 190-3500nm ɸ20mm >15° <5x10-6 ɸ38x29mm $1460 4 weeks
20704-006 Calcite 350-2300nm ɸ6mm >18° <5x10-5 ɸ15x15mm $215 4 weeks
20704-007 Calcite 350-2300nm ɸ10mm >18° <5x10-5 ɸ25.4x19mm $340 2 weeks
20704-008 Calcite 350-2300nm ɸ12.7mm >18° <5x10-5 ɸ25.4x21mm $445 4 weeks
20704-009 Calcite 350-2300nm ɸ15mm >18° <5x10-5 ɸ30x23mm $495 4 weeks
20704-010 Calcite 350-2300nm ɸ20mm >18° <5x10-5 ɸ38x29mm $985 4 weeks
20704-011 YVO4 500-4000nm ɸ6mm >20° <5x10-6 ɸ15x15mm $260 4 weeks
20704-012 YVO4 500-4000nm ɸ10mm >20° <5x10-6 ɸ25.4x19mm $400 2 weeks
20704-013 YVO4 500-4000nm ɸ12.7mm >20° <5x10-6 ɸ25.4x21mm $495 4 weeks
20704-014 YVO4 500-4000nm ɸ15mm >20° <5x10-6 ɸ30x23mm $680 4 weeks
20704-015 YVO4 500-4000nm ɸ20mm >20° <5x10-6 ɸ38x29mm $1460 4 weeks
20704-016 Quartz 200-2300nm ɸ6mm >2° <5x10-5 ɸ15x20mm $215 4 weeks
20704-017 Quartz 200-2300nm ɸ10mm >2° <5x10-5 ɸ25.4x28mm $340 2 weeks
20704-018 Quartz 200-2300nm ɸ12.7mm >2° <5x10-5 ɸ25.4x33mm $445 4 weeks
20704-019 Quartz 200-2300nm ɸ15mm >2° <5x10-5 ɸ30x38mm $495 4 weeks
20704-020 Quartz 200-2300nm ɸ20mm >2° <5x10-5 ɸ38x48mm $985 4 weeks

A Wollaston Prism, or Wollaston polarizer is a polarization optical component consisting of two right-angle prisms with their optical axes aligned in orthogonal directions. Wollaston prisms also pertain to the crystalline birefringent polarizer kind. 

When a natural light beam is projected at 90 degrees on the end face of the Wollaston prism, due to the birefringent phenomenon, the light is split into two polarization components with their oscillation directions perpendicular to each other. When the two components enter the first prism, because the incident angle is 90 degrees, both the s polarization (i.e. the ordinary light) and the p polarization (i.e. the extraordinary light) are not refracted but propagate at different speeds. When the e light and o light enter the second prism, because the optical axis of the second prism is perpendicular to the first prism, hence, in the second prism, the o component in the first prism switches into the e component, and the e component in the first prism switches into the o component. In the end, both the e light and o light experience a symmetrical angular deviation. 

The emerging two beams are of orthogonal linear polarization, identical intensities, and large separation angles. Since the deviation angle of the Wollaston polarizer is sensitive to shifts in wavelength, Wollaston prisms are often used in spectroscopes and polarization analyzers. Furthermore, Wollaston polarizers are also quite compelling in lab applications because a pair of light beams consisting of both ordinary light and extraordinary light that are symmetrical about their axis of initial propagation could be obtained.

Hangzhou Shalom EO offers Standard and Custom Versions of Wollaston Prisms, made from Alpha-BBO, Calcite, YVO4, and Quartz. The products feature a cemented architecture, where the adhesive is applied outside the area of the clear aperture. The substrates could be uncoated, or coated with Broadband AR Coating (Bnadwidth 190-3500nm, 350-2300nm, 500-4000nm, 200-2300nm), Protective coating. The extinction ratio are 20000:1(Calcite), or 200000:1 (Alpha-BBO, YVO4). Standardized aperture sizes including φ6mm, φ10mm, φ12.7mm, φ15mm, and φ20mm are available in stock, and custom sizes are accessible through inquiries. The separation angles are diverse, comprising 2°, 15°,18°, and 20°, while other separation angles are procurable upon request.

Common Specifications:

Item MgF2 Alpha-BBO Quartz YVO4 
Wavelength Range 130-7000nm 190-3500nm 200-2300nm 500-4000nm
Extinction Ratio <5x10-5 <5x10-6 <5x10-5 <5x10-6
Surface Quality 20/10 S/D
Beam Deviation < 3 arc minutes
Wavefront Distortion <λ/4@633nm
Damage Threshold >200MW/cm2@1064nm, 20ns, 20Hz
Coating P Coating or AR Coating
Mount Black Anodized Aluminum
Wollaston Prism, YVO4, Dia 6.0mm, >20°, 500-4000nm with Round Mount

Wollaston Prism, YVO4, Dia 6.0mm, >20°, 500-4000nm with Round Mount

Wollaston Prism, Calcite, Dia 12.7mm, >18°, 350-2300nm with Round Mount

Wollaston Prism, Calcite, Dia 12.7mm, >18°, 350-2300nm with Round Mount

Wollaston Polarizer, Quartz, Dia 10.0mm, >2°, 200-2300nm with Round Mount

Wollaston Polarizer, Quartz, Dia 10.0mm, >2°, 200-2300nm with Round Mount