Laser Beam Attenuators

STLQ Series Laser Beam Power Attenuators

STU Series Compact Series Manual CO2 Laser Beam Attenuator

Principle of operation:The principle of operation is based on the ‘Brewster angle’. When linearly polarised light is incident on an airoptical material interface (uncoated), usually some of the light is reflected and some transmitted. However, when linearly polarised in the orientation (known as ‘P’ polarisation), there is no reflected light; 100% is transmitted into the material, provided the angle of incidence is equal to the Brewster angle. This is not so when the polarisation is in the perpendicular direction (known as ‘S’ polarisation).

Our manual attenuator allows the user to externally vary the power delivered from the laser. Many lasers only vary their output by pulsing full power on and off, and this does not always provide fine levels of control needed in some materials. This device will give infinitely variable control of the transmitted beam from approximately 6% to 100%. An optional manual attenuator with ‘enhanced’ coated Brewster plates provides a transmittance to as low as 0.04% up to 98%. Both types of manual attenuator can come as a water-cooled version.

Technical Specifications

• Aperture: 19mm
• Power rating: ≤500W
• Cooling: Air (<100W) & Water-cooled, 6/4 Connector
• Mechanics: Aluminium Alloy, Black Anodised.
• Fitting: M29x1.0, female, both ends
• Transmission: 6% - 100%, 0.04% - 98%
• Clear aperture: 20mm in diameter
• Optics: Laser grade ZnSe Brewster plates
• Coating: AR/AR 10.6μm & 9.3/9.6μm
• Dimension: D60x120mm

Manual Attenuator Options

STA Series Laser Beam Power Attenuators

1. Watt Pilot Motorized Attenuators

Watt Pilot is a laser beam intensity attenuator. Enhanced version contains a rotating quartz λ/2 phase waveplate and one or two thin film plate polarizers for parallel s-polarized and p-polarizer beam separation, meanwhile Standard version attenuator contains a single polarizing cube beam splitter for orthogonal s-polarized and p-polarized beams separation. The intensity ratio of two separated beams is continuously tuned by rotating the waveplate. Despite the stand-alone look, Watt Pilot motorized attenuator is a compact, rigid and precise device and it can be easily integrated into custom optical systems.

Features

• User-friendly software interface, RS232 connection
• Divides laser beam into two s-pol and p-pol beams of adjustable intensity ratio
• Low dispersion for ultrashort and high energy laser pulses
• Clear aperture: >15 mm

(1) Standard Version

Typical items

(2) Enhanced Version

Typical items

Example of performance provided by attenuator comprising a waveplate and a polarizer.

2. PowerXP – Motorized Attenuators

PowerXP motorized attenuators are reliable solution for industrial applications. Each attenuator includes motorized rotating quartz λ/2 phase waveplate, optically aligned to a single/ dual thin film polarizer or polarizing beamsplitting cube which separates the input beam into individual s-polarized and p-polarized parallel or perpendicular output beams. The intensity ratio of separated beams is continuously tuned by rotating the waveplate. S-polarized beam output can be used for high purity s-polarized beam requiring applications and P-polarized beam output for power control and attenuation applications. High energy applications compatible optics, fast rotation speed of PowerXP Maxi and Cube versions and small footprint of Compact version makes PowerXP motorized attenuators a go-to solution for power control, attenuation and beam-splitting in demanding laser processing applications.

Features

• User-friendly software interface, RS232 connection
• Divides laser beam into two s-pol and p-pol beams of adjustable intensity ratio
• Low dispersion for ultrashort and high energy laser pulses
• Ideal for integration in other systems
• Time between min and max attenuation less than 0.2 sec

Model Comparison

The following table shows measured attenuator power control repeatability values.

*Using 250 mW average power output fs pulsed laser.

NOTE: Each value was calculated from average of 3000 cycles of measured data. At given transmission level, only that particular level data was taken into average value. For example, 20% transmission level data was gathered from power meter when the attenuator was in 20% power level position, during the 0% - 100% and 100% - 0% power level cycles (0% - 20% - 100% - 20% - 0% and then repeat for 3000 cycles).

3. Compact Version

4. Maxi Version

4.1 Maxi Transmission Version

Their dimensions are same as 56x99x90mm .

4.2 Maxi Reflection Version

Their dimensions are same as 56x99x90 mm.

4.3 Max Cube Version

Their dimensions are same as 56x82x90mm .

5. Manual Attenuators

5.1 Laser Beam Attenuator, Enhanced Version

The Enhanced version of the attenuator incorporates a rotating quartz λ/2 phase waveplate and one or two Thin Film Polarizers that separate s-polarized and p-polarized beams in parallel directions. The polarizers are housed in a specially designed opto-mechanical holder mounted together with a precision kinematic adjustable waveplate holder. Pure p-polarization should be selected for maximum transmission and pure s-polarization for maximum attenuation. The intensity ratio of separated beams is continuously tuned by rotating the waveplate in the holder.

Custom wavelengths are available upon request. Contact us and we will find a solution for your beam attenuation, power control and beam splitting needs. We can also recommend compatible optical components for your beam delivery applications.

Features

• Easy operated manual design
• Ideal for femtosecond and high power laser applications
• Two parallel p-pol and s-pol output beams
• Interchangeable optics

*Attenuation range for transmission type: Tmax (when open): >95%; Tmin (when closed):<0.5%

*Attenuation range for reflection type: Tmax (when open): >95%; Tmin (when closed):

Specifications

• Clear aperture: 15 mm
• Bandwidth: Up to ±20 nm
• Optimization: Reflection or transmission type
• Configuration: λ/2 ZO waveplate + 1x or 2x Thin Film polarizers
• Attenuation range (Tmin-Tmax) @ CWL: Up to 0.3-99 %*
• Typical applications: High power CW and pulsed lasers, LDs
• Damage threshold: >5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 89 x 72 x 78 mm – reflection type, 87 x 68 x 78 mm – transmission type

5.2 Laser Beam Attenuator, Ultrafast Version

The Ultrafast version of the attenuator is intended for laser pulses of < 100 fs. It incorporates a rotating Achromatic λ/2 phase waveplate and two high-performance Broadband 72° Thin Film Polarizers that separate s-polarized and p-polarized beams in parallel directions. The polarizers are housed in a specially designed opto-mechanical holder mounted together with a precision kinematic adjustable waveplate holder. The intensity ratio of separated beams is continuously tuned by rotating the waveplate in the holder.

There are 2 standardized types of ultrafast attenuators – one for maximum transmitted energy and one for maximum beam attenuation.

Custom wavelengths are available upon request. Contact us and we will find a solution for your beam attenuation, power control, beam splitting needs. We can also recommend compatible optical components for your beam delivery applications.

Features

• Easy operated manual design
• Low dispersion optical design for ultrashort pulse high power laser applications
• Two parallel p-pol and s-pol output beams
• Interchangeable optics

Specifications

• Clear aperture: 15 mm
• Bandwidth: Up to ±50 nm
• Configuration: λ/2 Achromatic waveplate + 2x Broadband (Ultrafast) Thin Film polarizers
• Attenuation range (Tmin-Tmax) @ CWL: 4-96%, 0.1-70%
• Typical applications: Ultrafast broadband laser sources with pulse length<100 fs
• Damage threshold: >100 mJ/cm² @ 800 nm, 100 fs, 1 kHz
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 167 x 72 x 78 mm

5.3 Large Aperture Attenuator

The main feature of Large Aperture Attenuators is larger than 30 mm diameter clear aperture. These incorporate a rotating λ/2 phase waveplate and one or two Thin Film Polarizers that separate s-polarized and p-polarized beams in parallel directions. The polarizers are housed in a specially designed opto-mechanical holder which is mounted together with a precision waveplate holder. Pure p-polarization should be selected for maximum transmission and pure s-polarization for maximum attenuation. The intensity ratio of the separated beams is continuously tuned by rotating the waveplate in the holder.

Custom wavelengths are available upon request. Contact us and we will find a solution for your beam attenuation, power control and beamsplitting needs. We can also recommend compatible optical components for your beam delivery applications.

Features

• Large input aperture
• Easy operated manual design
• Ideal for femtosecond and high power laser applications
• Two parallel p-pol and s-pol output beams
• Interchangeable optics

Specifications

• Clear aperture: 30 mm
• Bandwidth: Up to ±50 nm
• Optimization: Reflection or transmission type
• Attenuation range (Tmin-Tmax) @ CWL: 0.3-99% or 0.1-70% or 4-96%
• Typical applications: High power and ultrafast lasers
• Damage threshold: >5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, >100 mJ/cm² @ 800 nm, 100 fs, 1 kHz
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 299 x 135 x 70 mm – ultrafast reflection type, 147 x 136 x 60 mm – transmission type
• Configuration: λ/2 ZO waveplate + 1x or 2x Thin Film polarizers, λ/2 Achromatic waveplate + 2x Broadband (Ultrafast) Thin Film polarizers