We supply liquid crystal based Fast Optical Shutter (FOS) devices from LC-Tec.

 

The FOS series is a range of polariser-based nematic liquid crystal optical shutters that control the light transmittance by an externally applied drive voltage. Compared to conventional mechanical shutters, LC shutters are completely vibration-free and contain no moving parts.

 

Other advantages that can be achieved when using LC-Tec's products are:

 

• Fast switching
• High contrast
• Low power consumption
• Large design freedom
• Miniaturised & Ruggedised

 

The shutter consists of a polarisation modulator in the form of a single or two LC cells positioned between crossed linear polarisers. Applying the drive voltage reorients the birefringent LC molecules, changing the phase retardation of light passing through the LC cell and the transmittance of light passing through the full shutter structure. Analogue gray-scale operation between fully open and closed states is achieved by voltage amplitude modulation. In order to meet a wide range of requirements in multiple applications, a series of standard FOS models possessing different electro-optical properties are offered in a number of standard sizes, all available with short lead times.

 

• FOS(G2) - 2nd generation shutter similar to FOS with improved switching times
• FOS(G2)-CE - Dual-cell contrast enhanced (≥120,000:1) version of FOS(G2)
• X-FOS(G2) - Extra-fast 2nd generation FOS
• PolarSpeed©-S - Ultra-fast symmetrical switching FOS
• FOS-NIR(900) - Broadband visible & NIR (up to 1100nm) FOS with peak contrast at 900nm

 

Most FOS models are supplied with an AR-coating on the outer surface of the polarisers but for demanding optical applications can also be supplied as -IQ (Image Quality) designs with an optical quality high-efficiency AR-coated cover glass laminated to both sides. This configuration minimizes surface reflection, beam deviation, and wavefront aberration.

 

LC-Tec also offer polarisation modulators, enabling switching between two output polarisation states.

 

The standard modes described above are available in the 2" x 2" format without MOQ and with short lead times. Other sizes detailed on LC-Tec's data sheets are available with 200 piece MOQ and custom sizes, shapes and array formats can also be developed with NRE and tooling charges quoted on a case-by-case basis where the potential is in the range of 1000s per year over several years.

 

LC-Tec also offer a standard controller. The LCC-230 is a flexible, full-featured liquid crystal controller. The LCC-230 incorporates two independent LC channels, each with 30Vrms of range and fully short-circuit protected. The controller is operated by the LCDriver2 application via a full-speed USB 2.0 compliant interface. LCDriver2 permits dynamic editing of programs up to 96 lines in length. Three trigger modes (internal, line, program) determine how program lines are executed. Up to nine programs may also be pre-stored on the LCC-230 for stand-alone operation.

 

	Fast Optical Shutter overview
	X-FOS(G2) - Extra-Fast 2nd Generation
	X-FOS(G2)-CE - Extra-Fast 2nd Generation Contrast Enhanced
	PolarSpeed©-S - Ultra-Fast Symmetrical Switching
	FOS-NIR(900) - Visible & NIR (to ~1100nm)
	LCC-230 LC-FOS controller manual

We supply liquid crystal based Fast Polarisation Modulator (FPM) devices from LC-Tec. The FPM-series are a range of liquid crystal (LC)-based optical components which control light polarisation by an externally applied drive voltage.

 

Compared to conventional modulators/rotators, electro-optical LC modulators contain no moving parts, are completely vibration-free, and have a small footprint.

 

Most modulator models consist of a an liquid crystal cell together with a polariser. Applying the drive voltage reorients the birefringent LC molecules, changing the phase retardation of light passing through the LC cell. This results in a change in polarisation of light passing through the full modulator structure.

 

In order to meet a wide range of requirements for various applications, LC-Tec offer both standard and high speed FPM models possessing different electro-optical properties:-

 

FPM(L): Offers high contrast between two orthogonal linear polarisation output states even at moderate drive voltage amplitude together with fast switching from polarisation altering to non-altering state. It is suitable for customers seeking a general purpose modulator without having extreme requirements for fast switching.

 

X-FPM(L): The fastest single-cell modulator which differs from the FPM(L) model by extra-fast switching speeds, both response and relaxation. This modulator should be considered for applications in which high-frequency operation between two linear polarisation states is desired. 

 

The standard models described above are available in the 2" x 2" format without MOQ and with short lead times. Other sizes detailed on LC-Tec's data sheets are available with 200 piece MOQ and custom sizes, shapes and array formats can also be developed with NRE and tooling charges quoted on a case-by-case basis where the potential is in the range of 1000s per year over several years.

 

	FPM & VPR overview
	FPM(L) - Standard Polarisation Modulator
	X-FPM(L) - Fast switching between two states
	LCC-230 LC-FOS controller manual

 

For customers not finding their required modulator properties, other designs can be produced where annual quantities meet the criteria of 1000+ per year over a period of several years.

We supply liquid crystal based variable Neutral Density Filters from LC-Tec.

 

Although all LCT's Fast Optical Shutter models allow gray-level operation, the innovative and patented PolarView®-eND(NBf2.0)-IQUV(100µm) technology is specifically designed for operation as a variable Neutral Density (ND) filter.

 

LCT's PolarView®-eND(NBf2.0)-IQUV(100µm) replaces multiple filters with a single device which can be switched between F2 and F12 and is designed for flat spectral response and low angular dependence. As a result PolarView® filters offer uniquely uniform angular transmittance properties together with small color shift and are ideal for professional still and movie cameras as well as many commercial and industrial applications.

 

The optical density of the PolarView®-ND filter is controlled electronically without any moving parts. The device is completely analog and fast switching from one setting to another enables instant adjustment in response to changing light conditions.

 

The standard PolarView®-eND(NBf2.0)-IQUV(100µm) is designed to match full frame digital SLR image sensors with an outline of 44x33mm² and there is a large area version, PolarView®-eND(NBf1.5)-IQUV, which is 4" x 5.65".

 

	PolarView®-ND(NBf2.0)-IQUV product description
	PolarView®-ND(NBf2.0)-IQUV specification