Wire Grid Polarizers

Wire Grid Polarizers consist of a thin layer of aluminum MicroWires layered between two glass windows. Wire Grid Polarizers are an alternative to film polarizers and ruled and holographic wire polarizers, offering high transmission and maximum operating temperatures. When used at normal incidence, performance is consistent over a cone angle of ±25°. Reference marks indicate the axis of polarization and the cover glass side.

Note: For the best performance, the input beam should be oriented towards the cover glass side.

Wire Grid Polarizers are constructed by attaching MicroWires to the first window, and then applying a thin cover glass onto the wire grid surface to protect the wire from damage. The light is polarized by the birefringent nature of the wire grid surface. When incident light strikes the wire grid, P-polarized light contacts a dielectric and is transmitted, while S-polarized light contacts a mirror and is reflected.