ColorPol S – patterned polarizers

Description

The polarizer for specific applications and special requirements

Lateral design of regions with various characteristics of polarization, for example regions with

• Diverse wavelength ranges
• Different polarization axes
• Transmissible or blocked regions

Design according to specific customer requirements.

Depending on the number of pieces, the desired pattern as well as the tolerance, two production processes are available

Technical data of different technologies:

Lithographic technology

The polarization of colorPol^® polarizers is caused by elongated silver nanoparticles, which are embedded into the glass only in a shallow depth. This specific design offers the possibility to remove these nanoparticles by surface etching. With lithography, this can be done selectively.

A patterned colorPol^® polarizer with regions of either transparent or linear polarizing properties is the result. The shape of these regions can be randomly chosen, the resolution can be as high as 30 µm at still reasonable costs. The polarization axis of all regions as well as the wavelength range is same.

To create a polarizer with regions of different polarization axes, at least two of the polarizers, which were patterned as described above, must be stacked on top of each other (see sketch). The more different orientations of the polarization axis are needed, the more planes must be stacked. The different height positions of the planes may cause a parallax.

Mosaic technology

colorPol^® is well suited for this classical method of manufacturing patterned polarizers. Different polarization directions as well as different wavelength ranges can be chosen for each segment. Size, shape and number of segments is limited due to the production process.

The thin glass polarizers are diced precisely, for example with wafer saws. Every single piece is assembled carefully in the desired order. Lastly, the whole mosaic is sandwiched between two carrier substrates.

1) On request