Retarders and polarizers are critical components in a huge variety of technologies ranging from liquid crystal displays, OLED displays, VR and AR headsets, and countless other advanced optical systems.

AxoScan is widely used throughout the world by manufacturers of these components. Some typical examples are given below:

Polarizers

• Measure polarizer absorption axis (or transmission axis) angle with a repeatability better than 0.01°
• Measure the diattenuation (polarizer efficiency) including Tmax and Tmin
• Determine whether the input and output states of a polarizer are the same. Defects such as crystal misalignment or twist through the thickness of a stretched polymer can result in significant differences between the input and output states
• Determine whether polarization states are linear, elliptical or circular
• Measure polarizers at multiple incident angles to determine the optical properties of layers laminated to either side, such as TAC, Zero-TAC, and biaxial compensation films
• Imaging polarimetry of patterned polarizers to find the polarizer efficiency, orientation, and edge defects of individual domains

Output states of a linear polarizer with attached biaxial retardation film as the sample is tilted. 

Circular Polarizers

• Measure the output polarization state as a function of wavelength
• Perform a multi-layer analysis to determine the retardation and alignment of retarders or waveplates used in conjunction with the polarizer to create circular polarization states
• Calculate the color and contrast ratio of circular polarizers used to reject back-reflection from OLED panels and other reflective devices

Calculating how well a circular polarizer rejects light reflected from a mirror. 

Retarders

• Measure retardance as a function of wavelength
• Perform curve fitting algorithms to determine the true retardance order for high- order retarders
• Measure the out of plane retardation RTH
• Measure laminated stacks of retarders to determine the properties of the individual constituent layers
• Perform polarization Ray tracing analysis to calculate how rechargers will transform input polarization states into new output polarization states
• Imaging polarimetry of patterned rechargers to find the retardance, orientation, and edge defects of individual domains

Calculating out-of-plane retardance, Rth, by tilting along the fast and slow axes.

The same AxoScan and AxoStep polarimeter systems used on small desktop laboratory systems are also used large QC systems and inline manufacturing systems. Axometrics offers a wide range of small, medium, and large systems to suit any requirement.  Contact us today for more information.