Overview
Overview
AxoScan is the industry-leading system for measuring the polarization properties of samples. With its unparalleled speed, precision, and accuracy, AxoScan is used around the world by polarizer film, retardation film, and liquid crystal display manufactures, and well as many of the end-users of these products.
The AxoScan system measures the full Mueller matrix of a sample. That is, it measures
all possible polarization properties simultaneously. As a result, the AxoScan can handle almost any measurement requirement that involves polarization.
Measurements are made in a single location, typically in a 1.5 or 3 mm diameter beam. If significantly smaller features need to be measured, consider the AxoStep imaging polarimeter.
The Mueller Matrix Advantage
The "Mueller Matrix" Advantage
Unlike "partial" or "incomplete" polarimeters that only measure a particular subset of polarization parameters, the AxoScan and AxoStep both measure the full Mueller matrix. The 16 elements of the Mueller matrix contain all possible polarization properties of a sample. This is extremely important in situations where your real-world sample does not conform to the assumptions made by the measurement system.
As an example, measuring a stacked layer of retarders will create "elliptical retardance" if any of the layers are not perfectly aligned to each other. A system designed for measuring "linear retardance" or "birefringence" will fail to see the effects of that misalignment and will give the wrong result. But the Mueller matrix cannot be fooled, and the AxoScan will give the correct measurement.
Our easy-to-use software automatically converts the Mueller matrix into the meaningful parameters of transmittance, polarizer properties (diattenuation and polarizance), retardation, and depolarization. Axometrics also offers a wide range of application-specific software for numerous industries.
And as new applications come up, you don’t need to worry about obsolescence. Since the Mueller matrix already contains all possible polarization properties, new applications are a simple matter of installing new analysis software for your existing measurement system.
If your product depends on optical polarization, we likely already have analysis software for your application. Contact us to find out.
Applications
Applications
Because the Mueller matrix contains all possible polarization properties of a sample, there are too many AxoScan applications to list. The list below highlights some of the most common applications, but be sure to visit our Applications page for additional information.
If you don’t see your application listed, please feel free to contact us to discuss your measurement requirements. If the measurement involves polarization, we’ve probably helped someone make similar measurements.
Polarizer propertiesAccurately measure the polarizer axis angle and polarizer efficiency (diattenuation magnitude) of polarizers. Determine whether the output state is linear, circular, or some elliptical state in between. Also determine whether the input and output states are the same.
Retarder propertiesAccurately measure the retarder fast-axis angle and retardance magnitude. Also determine whether the fastest-propagating state is linear, circular (optical rotation), or elliptical.
Liquid crystal parameters testingSimultaneously measure the cell gap, top and bottom alignment directions, twist angle, and top and bottom pre-tilt angles of any mode of liquid crystal. Measurement can be applied to test cells, commercial panels, or polymerized films.
Generalized EllipsometryStress-Induced BirefringenceBiological SamplesReflective Devices
Models
Models
| MMSP-VIS |
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| wavelength range |
400 - 1000 nm |
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| detector type |
Si photodiode |
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| MMP-HSO |
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| wavelength range |
380 - 700 nm |
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| detector type |
Photomultiplier tube |
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| MMP-NIR |
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| wavelength range |
1250 - 1600 nm |
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| detector type |
InGaAs photodiode |
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United States