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PRISMS & RETROREFLECTORSPRISMS AND RETROREFLECTORS
CVI Laser optics manufactures a large selection of high quality prisms and retroreflectors for use in many applications including diverse industrial and scientific uses, laser tracking and alignment, spectroscopy, and military applications such as range finding and atmospheric monitoring. The CVI prism and retroreflector offering includes wedge prisms, right-angle prisms, Pellin Broca prisms and dispersing prisms. Standard products are available in UV-grade fused silica and N-BK7 glass, and depending on your application, can be coated with one of our many available anti-reflection coatings. Custom dimensions and coatings are available for OEM applications. We encourage you to contact CVI Laser Optics directly for more information.
Please see Pg. IV for the Semi Custom Selection Guide.
SELECTION GUIDE 14
WEDGED PRISMS 15
RIGHT-ANGLE PRISMS 16
EQUILATERAL DISPERSING PRISMS 20
ISOSCELES DISPERSING PRISMS 21
PELLIN BROCA PRISMS 22
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14 1-505-298-2550Selection Guide
SELECTION GUIDE
Product Type Descripton Page
WEDGE WINDOWS OR PRISMS
Wedge windows or prisms deviate an incident beam at a precise angle. Two wedge prisms of equal power can be combined to create a beam-steering apparatus that can place a beam anywhere within a cone defined by the deviation angle.
15
RIGHT-ANGLE PRISMS
Right-angle prisms bend the image by 90º and invert the image. Right-angle prisms may also be used to retroreflect a collimated beam (bend the image 180°).
16
EQUILATERAL DISPERSING & ISOSCELES BREWSTER PRISMS
Dispersing prisms are used to separate a beam of white light into its component colors. Generally, the light is first collimated and then dispersed by the prism. A spectrum is then formed at the focal plane of a lens or curved mirror. The dispersion of an iscosceles Brewster prism is less than that of an equilateral prism.
20
PELLIN BROCA PRISMSIn a Pellin Broca prism, light enters the right-angle prism normal to one of its faces, is turned exactly 90°, is presented to the second “half” dispersing prism in minimum deviation, and hence exits the Pellin Broca prism deviated at exactly 90° to its initial direction. This is what is meant by calling the Pellin Broca prism a “constant deviation prism”.
22l1,l2
l1>l2
l1 l2
whitelight red
orangeyellow
greenblue
violet
vd Δvd
SELECTION GUIDE
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15marketplace.idexop.com Large Wedge Windows
WEDGED PRISMS
LARGE WEDGEWINDOWS
Large wedge windows are laser quality windows manufactured with wedge angles of 1º or 3º. These larger wedges prevent interference due to stray back reflection. They have several applications in beam steering.
X All CVI Laser Optics low loss, high energy AR coatings available
X Other dimensions, wedge or material options available for OEM applications
SpecificationsProduct Code: LW-C • LW-UV
Optical Material: N-BK7 glass or UV-grade fused silica
Transmitted Wavefront Error: λ/10 @ 633 nm
Surface Quality: 10-5 scratch and dig
Diameter: Ø+0/–0.25 mm
Thickness: t±0.25 mm
Wedge: ±6 minutes
Clear Aperture: ≥85% of central diameter
f
t
a
S1 S2
Large wedge windows have an arrow marked at the thickest edge which points towards side 1 (S1). Side 1 (S1) is at normal incidence and side 2 (S2) is the wedge surface.
Standard ProductsØ (mm) t (mm) Wedge α PART NUMBER
Large Wedge Windows, N-BK7
25.4 9.5 1° LW-1-1037-C
50.8 9.5 1° LW-1-2037-C
25.4 9.5 3° LW-3-1037-C
50.8 9.5 3° LW-3-2037-C
Large Wedge Windows, Fused Silica
25.4 9.5 1° LW-1-1037-UV
50.8 9.5 1° LW-1-2037-UV
25.4 9.5 3° LW-3-1037-UV
50.8 9.5 3° LW-3-2037-UV
76.2 12.7 3° LW-3-3050-UV
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RIGHT-ANGLE PRISMS
RIGHT-ANGLEPRISMS
Right-angle prisms can be used to direct a beam of light at 90º from the incident beam or to retroreflect a beam. A right-angle prism may also be used as a front surface mirror.
X 90º reflector uses the hypotenuse face in total internal reflection (TIR) and an antireflection coating on the square faces (legs).
X 180º retroreflectors uses the square faces (legs) in total internal reflection (TIR) with an antireflection coating on the hypotenuse face.
X The prism can be used as an internal or external mirror by specifying a dielectric or metallic coating on the hypotenuse.
Most of the CVI Laser Optics coatings can be applied to prism surfaces.
APPLICATION NOTE
The inherent total internal reflection (TIR) at the
hypotenuse inverts the image and achieves a 90°
change in direction. Antireflection coatings are applied
to the two legs of a standard right angle prism (RAP)
to maximize the overall throughput and reduce back-
reflections off the interfaces to near zero.
A
A A
Right-Angle Prism as a Mirror (90º Bending)
The inherent total internal reflection (TIR) at the leg
faces to achieve a 180° change in direction (i.e.,
retroreflection). Antireflection coatings are applied to
the hypotenuse of a standard right angle prism (RAP)
to maximize the overall throughput and reduce any
back-reflection off the 0° interface.
ARcoating
point of TIR
point of TIR
Right-Angle Prism as a Retroreflector (180º Folding)
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17marketplace.idexop.com Uncoated Right-Angle Prisms
RIGHT-ANGLE PRISMS
UNCOATED RIGHT-ANGLE PRISMS
Right angle prisms (RAP) are most commonly used for image rotation, redirection of light and as components for both polarizing and non-polarizing beamsplitter cubes. Because of their simple 45º-45º-90º design and high-quality surface polish, they can be used as high energy 90º bending prisms or 180º folding prisms. They can be antireflection coated in these applica-tions to increase overall transmission, or metal coated for use as external turning mirrors.
X Contact CVI Laser Optics for other dimensions or material options for OEM applications
SpecificationsProduct Code: RAP-C • RAP-UV
Optical Material: N-BK7 glass or UV-grade fused silica
Dimensional Tolerance: +0/–0.25 mm
Angular Deviation: ±3 arc min
Chamfer: 0.35 mm at 45° (typical)
Adhesion and Durability: Per MIL-C-675C. Insoluble in lab solvents.
Dimension A is to Theoretical Sharp
B
B
A
A
A
Uncoated right-angle prisms
Standard ProductsSurface Figure
Surface Quality
Optical Material A (mm) Clear Aperture
B (mm) PART NUMBER
Uncoated Right-Angle Prisms, N-BK7
λ/4 20-10 N-BK7 5.0 3.0 RAP-020-C
λ/4 20-10 N-BK7 10.0 8.0 RAP-040-C
λ/4 20-10 M N-BK7 12.7 10.8 RAP-050-C
λ/4 20-10 N-BK7 15.0 12.8 RAP-060-C
λ/4 20-10 N-BK7 20.0 17.0 RAP-080-C
λ/4 20-10 N-BK7 25.4 21.6 RAP-100-C
λ/2 60-40 N-BK7 40.0 36.0 RAP-157-C
Uncoated Right-Angle Prisms, Fused Silica
λ/10 10-5 Fused Silica 10.0 8.0 RAP-040-UV
λ/10 10-5 Fused Silica 12.7 10.8 RAP-050-UV
λ/10 10-5 Fused Silica 25.0 21.0 RAP-090-UV
λ/10 10-5 Fused Silica 25.4 21.6 RAP-100-UV
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P90 right-angle bending prisms utilize the inherent total internal reflection (TIR) at the hypotenuse to invert the image and achieve a 90º change in direction. Antireflection coatings are applied to the two legs of a standard right angle prism (RAP) to maximize the overall throughput and reduce back-reflections off the interfaces to near zero.
P180 right-angle folding prisms utilize the inherent total internal reflection at the leg faces to achieve a 180º change in direction (i.e., retroreflection). Antireflection coatings are applied to the hypotenuse of a standard right angle prism (RAP) to maximize the overall throughput and reduce any back-reflection off the 0º interface.
Because the internal reflections are independent of wavelength, these prisms can also be used as high energy reflectors for broadband applications where metal mirrors are too absorbing and dielectric mirrors do not reflect a wide enough bandwidth.
Bending and folding prisms are stocked in both N-BK7 glass and UV-grade fused silica on ½-inch and 1-inch standard substrates, but can be made from any available RAP prism.
X Use P90 series 90º bending prisms as broadband, high energy 90º reflectors: CVI Laser Optics high energy AR and BBAR coatings can be applied to legs
X Use P180 series 180º folding prisms as broadband, high-energy retroreflectors : CVI Laser Optics high energy AR and BBAR coatings can be applied to hypotenuse
X Aluminized hypotenuse with black overcoat, other dimensions or wavelengths available for OEM applications
RIGHT-ANGLE PRISMS
PRECISION RIGHT-ANGLE BENDING & FOLDING PRISMS
Precision Right-Angle Bending and Folding Prisms
SpecificationsProduct Code: P90-C • P90-UV • P180-C • P180-UV
Optical Material: N-BK7 glass or UV-grade fused silica
Surface Figure: N-BK7: λ/4 p-v at 633 nm before coating Fused silica: λ/10 p-v at 633 nm before coating
Surface Quality: N-BK7: 20-10 scratch and dig. Fused silica: 10-5 scratch and dig
Dimensional Tolerance: +0/–0.25 mm
Angular Deviation: ±3 arc min
Chamfer: 0.35 mm at 45° (typical)
Antireflection Coating: Single wavelength: R≤0.25% per surface Broadband: Ravg≤0.50% per surface
Coating Technology: Electron beam multilayer dielectric
Clear Aperture: ≥85% of central dimension
Damage Threshold: Pulsed: 10 J/cm2, 20 nsec, 20 Hz @ 1064 nm cw: 10 MW/cm2 @ 1064 nm
Adhesion and Durability: Per MIL-C-675C. Insoluble in lab solvents
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RIGHT-ANGLE PRISMS
Precision Right-Angle Bending and Folding Prisms
Standard ProductsA (mm) AR Coating
Range (nm) Reflectivity @ 0° Optical Material PART NUMBER
Standard Precision Right-Angle Bending Prisms
12.7 415.0-700.0 Ravg≤0.50%,
Rabs≤1.0% per surface
N-BK7 P90-050-415-700-C
12.7 633.0-1064.0 Ravg≤0.50%,
Rabs≤1.0% per surface
N-BK7 P90-050-633-
1064-C
12.7 1064.0 R < 0.25% per
surface N-BK7 P90-050-1064-C
25.4 1064.0 R < 0.25% per
surface N-BK7 P90-100-1064-C
Standard Precision Folding Prisms
12.7 1064.0 R < 0.25% per
surface N-BK7 P180-050-1064-C
25.4 1064.0 R < 0.25% per
surface N-BK7 P180-100-1064-C
A
A
S1
S2
Dimension A is to
Theoretical Sharp
Antireflection coating on surfaces S1 & S2
AS1
A
A
Dimension A is to Theoretical Sharp
Antireflection coating on surface S1
90º bending options
180º bending options
Semi Custom Use the selection menu below to build your own part
YOUR CUSTOM PART NUMBER P90 — 050 — 1064 — C
PRODUCT
P90 90° bending prism
P180 180° folding prism
SIZE CODE DIMENSION A (mm) (Theoretical Sharp)
050 12.7
100 25.4
ANTIREFLECTION COATING WAVELENGTH (nm)
193 266 532 1064
248 355 633 1050-1600
248-355 415-700 632-1064 1500
MATERIAL CODE MATERIAL
C N-BK7 Glass
UV UV-grade fused silica
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EQUILATERAL DISPERSING PRISMS
High-Precision Equilateral Dispersing Prisms
HIGH-PRECISION EQUILATERALDISPERSING PRISMS
Equilateral dispersing prisms are used for wavelength-separation applications. A light ray is twice refracted passing through the prism with total deviation denoted by θd in the figure below. Deviation is a function of refractive index and hence wavelength. Angular dispersion ∆θd is the difference in deviation for light rays having different wavelengths, and it varies with prism orientation.
X Reflection losses are minimized for unpolarized rays traveling parallel to the base of the prism. This condition is called minimum deviation.
X Minimum deviation occurs when the ray and wavelength angle of incidence at the entrance surface are equal to the angle of emergence (both angles measured with respect to the surface normals).
X Prisms are available in N-BK7, N-F2 and UV-grade fused silica.
X Antireflection coatings help reduce polarization at the prism surfaces by increasing total transmittance.
SpecificationsProduct Code: EDP-C • EDP-UV • EDP-F2
Optical Material: N-BK7, UV-grade fused silica, N-F2 glass
Surface Figure: λ/10 p-v at 633 nm
Surface Quality: 10-5 scratch and dig (N-BK7 glass and UV-grade fused silica) 30-10 scratch and dig (N-F2 and N-SF10 glass)
Dimensional Tolerance: +0/–0.25 mm
Angular Deviation: ±3 arc min
Chamfer: 0.35 mm at 45° (typical)
Clear Aperture: ≥85% of central dimension
Damage Threshold: 15 J/cm2, 20 nsec, 20 Hz @ 1064 nm
Standard ProductsOptical Material A (mm) Refractive Index @ 633 nm PART NUMBER
High-Precision Equilateral Dispersing Prisms
N-BK7 25.0 1.51509 EDP-25.0-C
Fused Silica 25.0 1.45702 EDP-25.0-UV
N-F2 25.0 1.61658 EDP-25.0-F2
whitelight red
orangeyellow
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vd ∆vd
A
A
EDP equilateral dispersing prisms use the phenomenon of an-gular dispersion to allow for wavelength separation
Equilateral dispersing prisms
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ISOSCELES DISPERSING PRISMS
Isosceles Brewster Prisms
B
H
CA
f
Isosceles Brewster prisms
ISOSCELES BREWSTER PRISMS
Isosceles Brewster angle prisms are designed specifically for intracavity laser applications, usually for specific wavelengths or wavelength ranges. The dispersion of these prisms is less than that of an equilaterial prism, but the beam enters and exits the prism near Brewster's angle, minimizing intracavity losses.
X GDD correction prisms for femtosecond systems
X Two sides (AB) optically polished
X Extremely small loss for p-polarized beam
X Other dimensions and materials available for OEM applications
SpecificationsProduct Code: IB-SS • IB-UV • IB-SF10
Optical Material: Suprasil 1, UV-grade fused silica or N-SF10 glass
Surface Figure: λ/10 p-v at 633 nm over clear aperture
Surface Quality: 10-5 scratch and dig (Suprasil 1 and UV-grade fused silica), 30-10 scratch and dig (N-SF10 glass)
Dimensional Tolerance: +0/–0.25 mm
Angular Deviation: ±2 arc min
Chamfer: 0.35 mm at 45° (typical)
Clear Aperture: ≥85% of central dimension
Damage Threshold: Suprasil 1: 15 J/cm2, 20 nsec, 20 Hz @ 1064 nm Fused Silica: 15 J/cm2, 20 nsec, 20 Hz @ 1064 nm
Standard ProductsOptical Material A
(mm)B
(mm)C
(mm)H
(mm) Ø Refractive Index @ 633 nm
Design Wavelength (nm)
Refractive Index @ Design WL PART NUMBER
Isosceles Brewster Prisms
Suprasil 1 12.7 18.2 20.6 15.0 68.7° 1.45702 488 1.46301 IB-15.0-68.7-SS
Fused Silica 15.0 15.0 17.0 12.4 69.1° 1.45702 800 1.45332 IB-12.4-69.1-UV
N-SF10 15.0 15.0 15.1 13.0 60.6° 1.72314 80 0 1.7113 IB-13.0-60.6-SF10
N-SF10 25.0 25.0 25.2 21.6 60.6° 1.72314 800 1.7113 IB-21.6-60.6-SF10
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In a Pellin Broca prism, an ordinary dispersing prism is split in half along the bisector of the apex angle. Using a right-angle prism, the two halves are joined to create a dispersing prism with an internal right angle bend obtained by total internal reflection. See Figure 1.
A simple dispersing prism always deviates the longer wavelength less than the shorter wavelength. In a Pellin Broca prism, whether the longer wavelength is deviated more or less depends on the orientation of the prism. This is an important consideration when designing a high power Pellin Broca beam separator. This is illustrated in Figures 2 and Figures 3.
X Ideal for 90º wavelength deviation or beam separation
X Suprasil 1 for 180 to 240 nm region
X UV-grade fused silica for 240 to 2000 nm.
X Crystal quartz is specifically designed for high power Q-switched 266 nm laser pulses above fluence levels of 50 mJ/cm2
Pellin Broca Prisms
PELLIN BROCA PRISMS
PELLIN BROCA PRISMS
SpecificationsProduct Code: PLBC
Optical Material: Suprasil 1, UV-grade fused silica or Crystal Quartz
Surface Figure: λ/10 p-v at 633 nm over clear aperture
Surface Quality: 10-5 scratch and dig on three polished surfaces
Dimensional Tolerance: +0/–0.25 mm
Angular Deviation: α:±30 arc min β:±2°
Chamfer: 0.35 mm at 45° (typical)
Clear Aperture: ≥85% of central dimension
Damage Threshold: 15 J/cm2, 20 nsec, 20 Hz @ 1064
Standard ProductsOptical Material
A (mm)
B (mm)
H (mm)
Clear Aperture
(mm)α β PART NUMBER
Pellin Broca Prisms
Suprasil 1 11.0 20.0 6.4 5.0 79.5° 60° PLBC-5.0-79.5-SS
Fused Silica
23.5 40.0 12.7 10.0 79.5° 60° PLBC-10.0-79.5-UV
Crystal Quartz
23.5 40.0 12.7 10.0 77.2° 60° PLBC-10.0-77.2-CQ
B
b
a
A
H
S1
S2
S3
l1, l2l1 > l2
l1 l2
l1, l2l1 > l2
l1l2
PLBC Pellin Broca prism
Figure 1. One of the wavelengths deviates by exactly 90º to its initial direction
Figure 2 and Figure 3. Whether the longer wavelength is deviat-ed more or less depends on the orientation of the prism.