Quick Shot
Scanning the Distributed Polarization Rotator
September 23, 2013
Glancing-angle–deposited (GLAD) films are evaluated on a Zeiss 1530 scanning electron microscope by Jim Oliver and Chris Smith of the Optical Manufacturing Group. The birefringent film structure created by the GLAD process allows for control of the polarization state of the incident light, enabling the vacuum deposition of wave-plate coatings. Such coatings have a potential application to large-aperture distributed-phase rotators, and high-resolution SEM imaging is critical to characterize and understand the deposited film.