Key Features
Key Features
The MALT-1 Is specifically designed to allow fully automatic polarization testing of optical lenses. With completely hands-free operation, the system is well-suited for use on production lines or for testing large numbers of data points across samples for R&D and QC purposes. Key features include:
- Motorized Tilt Track: Automatically sets the input beam and collected beam and across ±45°.
- Motorized Sample Rotation Stage: Enables 360° rotation for comprehensive lens analysis.
- Beam Tracking Camera: Tracks the refracted output beam position and angle, and feeds results back to the system for automatic adjustment.
- Motorized Tilt and Yaw Adjustment: Fine-tuning the pitch and yaw of the collection sensor (PSA) based on tracking camera feedback.
Custom inserts designed for each lens to be tested can be provided. The inserts include kinematic alignment for easy repeatable loading.
Applications
Applications
The MALT-1 is idea for measuring all possible polarization properties of any lens. Common applications include:
- Molded Lens Birefringence: Analyzes the internal stress patterns within molded lenses.
- Polarization Films on Curved Surfaces: Measures the polarization properties of films applied to non-flat surfaces.
- Polarization Directed Lenses (PDL) and Geometric Phase Lenses (GPL): Assesses specialized lenses designed for specific polarization effects.
- Pancake Lenses and Polarized Catadioptric Optics: Evaluates complex optical systems combining reflective and refractive components.
- Liquid Crystal Variable Lenses: Tests lenses that change properties based on electrical input.
- Switchable Waveplates: Measures waveplates that alter polarization state under certain conditions.
- Mueller Matrix Data: Collects comprehensive polarization data for integration into optical design software.
Our easy-to-use software allows the operator to set up nearly any pattern of input meridional rays, and the software automatically calculates the refracted beams based on the paraxial focal length, or based on a real lens prescription.
The integrated two-axis beam tracking camera then optical locates the refracted beam and fine-tunes the position and angle of the polarization state analyzer (PSA) to ensure accurate measurements.
Example Measurements
Example Measurements
The example measurements shown below represent several of the common applications for the MALT-1, however many additional applications are possible. Contact Axometrics to discuss your unique measurement requirements.
Strain birefringence at the filling gate of a plastic injection molded lens.
Retardance map of a half-wave retarder film laminated to the concave surface of a lens under parallel-beam illumination.
Identifying the diffracted peaks of a geometric phase lens (GPL) and measure the ellipticity of the transmitted beams vs. wavelegnth.
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