ringpolarisatsioonipolarisaatoriteks

Ringpolarisaatoriteks, often shortened to ring polarizers, are optical devices that selectively transmit or block light based on its polarization state and the direction from which it arrives. Unlike conventional polarizers that have a uniform transmission axis across their entire surface, ring polarizers exhibit a spatially varying transmission axis arranged in a circular or annular pattern. This means that light polarized in a particular direction will be transmitted only if it passes through a specific ring segment of the polarizer.

The key characteristic of a ring polarizer is its ability to create polarization-dependent spatial filtering. Light with a specific linear polarization orientation will pass through the corresponding annulus, while light with other polarization orientations or the same orientation passing through a different annulus will be blocked or attenuated. This unique property makes them useful in a variety of applications where controlling polarization in a spatially selective manner is desired.

Applications for ring polarizers include advanced imaging systems, such as those used in microscopy, machine vision, and surveillance. They can be employed to enhance contrast by filtering out unwanted polarized reflections or to extract polarization information from a scene, revealing details not visible with conventional imaging. In some scientific instruments, they are used for polarization-sensitive measurements. The design and fabrication of ring polarizers often involve micro- and nano-fabrication techniques to create the intricate patterns required for their function.