Our precision Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders require unique fabrication and assembly steps. We construct these retarders using optically flat fused silica windows coated with our transparent conductive Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). Our ITO coating is specially designed for maximum transmission from 450 – 1800 nm.
A thin dielectric layer is applied over the ITO and gently rubbed, to provide for liquid crystal molecular alignment. Two windows are then carefully aligned and spaced a few microns apart. The cavity is filled with birefringent nematic liquid crystal material. Electrical contacts are attached and the device is environmentally sealed. We carefully place the Liquid Crystal Variable Retarder in an anodized aluminum housing such that the fast and slow axes are both at 45° relative to a convenient mounting hole.
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