Checkerboard Gratings LCCG25-633-36

Overview

The LCCG25-633-36 is a checkerboard grating built on an N-BK7 glass substrate with a birefringent liquid crystal polymer (LCP) film, arranged as a sandwich of front and rear glass windows plus the intermediate LCP functional layer, with no mechanical housing and a 1.5 mm single-sided chamfer. Within the LCP layer the liquid crystal molecules follow a checkerboard pattern: the orientation angle is uniform inside each 36x36 μm pixel cell and the phase difference between adjacent cells is π, while the whole device plane carries the same λ/2 retardation, making it a single-wavelength element. It produces 2×2 uniform beam splitting from a single plate — where a cascaded-grating assembly needs three pieces — which makes it easier to integrate. This model operates at 633 nm over a 15x15 mm clear aperture.

Key Features

• Linearly polarized incident light, 2×2 uniform beam splitting
• Checkerboard phase structure with a π phase difference between adjacent pixel cells
• Flat-panel structure with high uniformity and low zero-order ratio
• LCP/N-BK7 window material, no mechanical housing, 1.5 mm single-sided chamfer
• Operating wavelengths: 532, 633, 1064 nm, pixel size: 36×36 μm
• Custom sizes with parameter specifications available

Construction & Performance

The liquid-crystal-polymer film sits between two glass windows, so the phase structure is protected inside the stack instead of being exposed as a surface relief. The π step between neighbouring cells suppresses the zero order to <0.1% of the incident intensity and keeps the four first-order spots uniform to >90%, at >60% diffraction efficiency and >98 % transmittance at the working wavelength. Both faces carry Ravg<0.5 %@400-700 nm and the element holds ±5 nm over -20~80°C. Key specifications for this model:

• Component Size: Ø25.4×3.2 mm, single-side trimmed
• Operating Wavelength: 633 nm
• Pixel Size: 36x36 μm
• Clear Aperture: 15x15 mm
• Component Material: Liquid Crystal Polymer/N-BK7 Window Plate
• Transmittance (@working wavelength): >98 %
• Zero-Order Intensity Ratio: <0.1%
• Diffraction Efficiency: >60%
• Beam Splitting Uniformity: >90%
• Retardance Accuracy: ±5 nm
• Surface Quality (Scratch/Dig): 60/40
• AR Coating: Ravg<0.5 %@400-700 nm
• Operating Temperature: -20~80°C

Storage & Handling

Handle the element by its edges and keep both window faces clean. Blow off loose particles before any contact cleaning, then use optical-grade solvent with lens tissue only when necessary. Keep the incident beam linearly polarized and inside the 15x15 mm clear aperture, stay within the -20~80°C operating temperature range, and store the element in its original container in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight.