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Infrared wire-grid polarizer with Y2O3 ceramic substrate
Itsunari Yamada1, Kouhei Fukumi, Junji Nishii
1Department of Electronic Systems Engineering School of Engineering, University of Shiga Prefecture, Hassaka-cho, Hikone, Shiga, 522-8533, Japan. yamada.i@e.usp.ac.jp
Optics Letters
|September 18, 2010
Summary
We developed a durable mid-infrared wire-grid polarizer using a novel Y2O3 ceramic substrate. This advanced polarizer demonstrates high transmittance and excellent extinction ratios for infrared applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Wire-grid polarizers are crucial optical components for manipulating polarized light.
- Traditional substrates like sapphire have limitations in transparency and durability for mid-infrared applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize a novel mid-infrared wire-grid polarizer.
- To evaluate the performance of yttria (Y2O3) ceramic as a substrate for wire-grid polarizers.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication using two-beam interference lithography and dry etching.
- Characterization of transmittance and extinction ratio across mid-infrared wavelengths.
Main Results:
- A 350 nm pitch WSi grating on Y2O3 substrate was successfully fabricated.
- Achieved TM polarization transmittance >70% (3-7 μm) and extinction ratio >20 dB (2.5-5 μm).
- Y2O3 substrate offers wider transparency and high durability compared to sapphire.
Conclusions:
- The Y2O3 ceramic substrate is a promising material for high-performance mid-IR wire-grid polarizers.
- The fabricated polarizer exhibits excellent optical properties and robustness for infrared applications.
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