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BVO Nematic Liquid Crystal Devices
Four Modes | Custom Manufactured | 25+ Years Experience | 1–10,000 Units | Apertures to 90mm
Bolder Vision Optik has been manufacturing custom nematic liquid crystal devices since 1994. Four LC modes are available — each suited to different applications. All devices are fabricated using 1mm thick LC cells with 0.5mm thin glass substrates. Apertures to 90mm, square or round. BVO characterizes every device for speed, insertion loss, and contrast ratio. Handmade small volume lots (1–500 units) through high volume production (100–10,000 units).
The Four LC Modes
Analog Variable Retarder
Electronically Controlled Birefringence. Maximum retardance at 0V, decreasing with voltage. Analog control of retardance at specific wavelengths. Most versatile LC mode.
Key use: Variable retarders, polarization state generators, tunable filters, LCVR
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High Speed Shutter
Parallel aligned nematic with 180° twist. Faster switching than ECB due to reduced rotational torque. Operates 2V–30V with holding voltage. Naturally high viewing angle.
Key use: Fast shutters, 3D display systems, rapid Lyot filters, high speed modulators
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Broadband Variable Attenuator
90° molecular twist. Most achromatic LC mode — broadband visible and NIR attenuation. Normally black or normally white configuration. Smooth analog attenuation vs voltage.
Key use: Broadband VIS/NIR variable attenuators, laser power control, achromatic shutters
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Highest Contrast Attenuator
Homeotropic (vertical) alignment. Zero residual birefringence at 0V — exceptional dark state. Highest contrast of any LC mode. Thermally stable dark state. Ultra extinction ratio.
Key use: Ultra high contrast attenuators, NIR contrast systems, thermally demanding environments
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Which LC Mode? — Application Selector
| If your application needs... | Choose | Why |
|---|
| Analog retardance control at a specific wavelength | ECB Nematic | Most versatile — tunable retardance from 0V to high voltage |
| Polarization state generator (QWP, HWP function) | ECB Nematic | Set to λ/4 = circular polarization; set to λ/2 = polarization rotator |
| Tunable filter (Lyot, Šolc) | ECB Nematic or PI-Cell | ECB for slow tuning; PI-Cell for fast wavelength switching |
| Fastest possible switching speed | PI-Cell | Reduced rotational torque — fastest LC switching available from BVO |
| 3D shutter / flicker-free display | PI-Cell | Fast enough for sequential 3D frame switching without visible crosstalk |
| Broadband achromatic attenuation VIS or NIR | TN | Most achromatic LC mode — wavelength-independent attenuation |
| Maximum contrast / extinction ratio | VA Mode | Highest contrast of any LC mode — dark state set by polarizer quality |
| High contrast in variable temperature environment | VA Mode | Thermally stable dark state — other modes degrade with temperature |
| NIR high contrast attenuation | VA Mode | Two-cell NIR VA + NIR linear polarizers (e.g. BVO NIR Ultra) |
Manufacturing Capabilities
Cell Construction1mm thick LC cells using 0.5mm thin glass substrates. Highly versatile — 25 years of custom device manufacturing.
AperturesLarge aperture devices up to 90mm. Square or round. Custom geometry available.
Volume RangeHandmade small lots (1–500 units) through high volume production (100–10,000 units). Proof of concept → production.
Compensation FilmsBVO designs and supplies compensation films to improve dark state and contrast ratio for any LC mode.
Full CharacterizationSpeed / response time, insertion loss, and contrast ratio measured and documented for every device.
Mounting & IntegrationLC cells potted into custom mount cups or provided customer assemblies. OEM volume integration capability.
Contact Bolder Vision Optik