Quartz Lyot Depolarizer | SIMTRUM Photonics Store

Quartz Lyot Depolarizer is used to convert a polarized incoming monochromatic light beam into a pseudo-random polarized beam. Incoming light beam with broadband source will also be converted by the depolarizer that varies spatially and wavelength. Quartz Lyot Depolarizer is constructed of two crystal quartz wedges. The optical axis of each wedge is along the plane, whereas the orientation angle between the two wedges is 45°. This depolarizer is unique as there is not requirement in orienting the axes of the depolarizer, and is useful if the initial polarization state of incoming light is unknown.

Quartz are excellent birefringent crystals. Due to its high UV, VIS, and NIR transmittance, and its ability to rotate polarized light and high damage threshold, it is very useful for transmittance from 190-2900nm wavelength. With high hardness properties, it is commonly used in the retardation plate. Quartz can exhibit circular birefringence allowing the ordinary and extraordinary beam to propagate with the same velocity using the same refractive index. Hence its effect is useful in rotators.