Soleil-Babinet Compensators
The compensators are used to measure states of polarization or to produce certain retardation values: e.g., λ/2 or λ/4 for different wavelengths. The clear aperture is 12 mm in diameter. The compensators are supplied with a cylindrical attachment 25 mm in diameter for mounting in graduated rotating mounts or other holders.
The compensators consist of a long wedge 39 x 13 mm2 in size and a short wedge (13 x 13 mm2) with identical wedge angle. The thickness of the 13 x 13 mm2 compensating plate is matched to provide zero path difference approximately in the center of the long wedge (the zero position). The wedge in a precision slade mount is adjustable by means of a micrometer screw. The adjustment range is about 13 mm on either side of the zero position.
Based on this adjustment range a guideline for
the order numbers for the different compensators is presented in the table.
To provide exact measurements, the compensators must be calibrated for
the respective wavelength.
Order numbers of compensators
| Wavelength | RKM 06 | RKQ 10 | RKQ 22 | RKM 70 |
| MgF2 | Quarz | Quarz | MgF2 | |
| 0.120 µm 0.121 µm 0.122 µm 0.125 µm 0.131 µm 0.140 µm 0.160 µm 0.180 µm 0.200 µm 0.300 µm 0.400 µm 0.500 µm 0.600 µm 0.800 µm 1.000 µm 1.200 µm 1.400 µm 1.600 µm 1.800 µm 2.000 µm 2.200 µm 2.500 µm 3.000 µm 4.000 µm 5.000 µm 6.000 µm 7.000 µm |
0.61 1.61 2.41 3.79 5.17 5.60 5.04 4.36 3.81 2.35 1.71 1.35 1.12 0.83 0.66 |
7.35 3.89 2.71 2.10 1.72 1.26 1.00 0.82 0.69 0.60 0.52 0.46 0.41 0.35 0.27 |
9.72 6.79 5.25 4.30 3.16 2.49 2.05 1.73 1.50 1.31 1.16 1.03 0.88 0.68 |
12.04 10.26 9.54 7.87 7.03 6.34 5.50 4.46 3.10 2.21 1.56 1.02 |
The flatness of the optical faces is about λ/20
for the compensators made of quartz and λ/10
for the version in MgF2.
Directions for adjustment and operation, including
the procedure for calibration, are also supplied.
Ranges of application
| Spectral Range | Material | Ordernr. | Price 1-2 pc. | Price 3-5 pc. |
| 120 nm - 1.0 µm 250 nm - 1.8 µm 500 nm - 2.5 µm 2.0 µm - 7.0 µm |
MgF2 Quarz Quarz MgF2 |
RKM 06 RKQ 10 RKQ 22 RKM 70 |
€ 4407 € 2953 € 3433 € 4244 |
€ 4320 € 2895 € 3365 € 4160 |
Quality of material used
- The field of view is almost free of any imperfections in the crystal structure →per the above table
- The field of view contains imperfections. → RKQ 0
Available on special order
- Compensators can be supplied with calibration
for certain wavelengths in the visible spectral range (633 nm, 546 nm,
435 nm).
Calibration per wavelength → RKQ 001
Data sheet