AI Content Index › Visible Polarizers › BVO 38
BVO 38 Linear Polarizer
Active Range: 420 nm – 760 nm | Visible | HN38 Legacy Replacement
420–760 nm
4,110:1 Avg Contrast
75.5% Avg Tp
HN38 Replacement
Absorptive
BVO 38 is a visible linear polarizer covering 420–760 nm. BVO has challenged standard optical drawings calling for the old Polaroid / 3M HN 38 visible polarizer — BVO 38 is the direct replacement for the legacy HN38 series with equivalent or better performance. 4,110:1 average contrast across the visible band (420–700 nm) with 75.5% average Tp. Note that performance below 420 nm is limited — at 400 nm contrast drops sharply due to high Tc.
Active range note: BVO 38 is active from 420 nm. Below 420 nm Tc rises sharply (1.1% at 400 nm) — not specified for UV applications. Above 760 nm Tc rises steeply. For UV coverage see
BVO UV.
4,110:1
Avg VIS Contrast (420–700 nm)
BVO 38 Linear Polarizer — Transmission Performance
Input Light: Plane Polarized | Active Range: 420–760 nm | HN38 legacy polarizer replacement
Key Features
- Direct replacement for Polaroid HN38 legacy visible polarizer
- Active range 420–760 nm — covers visible and partial NIR transition
- 4,110:1 average contrast (420–700 nm)
- 75.5% average Tp — solid visible throughput
- Absorptive, non-reflective — no back-reflection artifacts
- Suitable for optical drawing specifications calling for HN38 performance
- PSA conversion available for direct lamination
- Custom geometry — .dxf routing or laser cutting to 10–25 micron tolerances
- Note: below 420 nm Tc rises sharply — not specified for UV applications
Key Wavelength Data
| Wavelength | Tp (%) | Tc (%) | Contrast | Note |
|---|
| 400 nm | 27.9% | 1.111% | 25:1 | Below active range — high Tc |
| 420 nm | 65.4% | 0.071% | 917:1 | Active range start |
| 450 nm | 72.9% | 0.023% | 3,118:1 | Good contrast |
| 500 nm | 78.6% | 0.013% | 5,892:1 | Excellent contrast |
| 550 nm | 78.2% | 0.015% | 5,388:1 | Excellent contrast |
| 600 nm | 76.9% | 0.016% | 4,764:1 | Good contrast |
| 650 nm | 79.1% | 0.019% | 4,088:1 | Good contrast |
| 700 nm | 84.3% | 0.019% | 4,368:1 | Good contrast |
| 760 nm | 90.3% | 0.148% | 611:1 | Upper active range |
| 800 nm | 92.5% | 5.718% | 16:1 | Above active range — not specified |
Standard Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Performance Range | 420 nm – 760 nm |
| Avg Contrast (420–700 nm) | 4,110:1 |
| Avg Tp | 75.5% |
| Legacy Replacement | Polaroid HN38 / 3M HN38 series |
| Film Cut Tolerances | ±50 microns standard; 10–25 microns precision |
| PSA Conversion | Available |
| Substrate | Plastic Cellulose Triacetate, dichroic |
| Surface Quality | 80/50 Scratch-Dig |
Applications
HN38 Specification ReplacementDirect replacement for optical drawing specifications calling for Polaroid HN38 or 3M HN38 visible polarizer.
Optical Signal ProcessingVisible polarization for optical signal processing and polarization-based sensing in the 420–760 nm band.
SensorsVisible polarizer for optical sensors and detection systems in the 420–700 nm band.
Projection SystemsVisible polarizer for projection display and illumination systems requiring HN38-equivalent performance.
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