These optics find widespread use across laser processing, diagnostics, and spectroscopy. In CO₂ laser cutting, marking, and welding, they enable precise beam delivery and process control. For power monitoring and sampling, they extract a small fraction of the beam for real‑time measurement without interrupting the main operation. They are also integral to infrared thermal imagers and FTIR spectrometers, as well as to medical laser devices and industrial pyrometry systems. Their underlying function is to divide one beam into two or to unite two beams into one. In the polarizing configuration (PBS), they specifically handle beams whose polarization axes are orthogonal to each other, with overall performance ultimately governed by the coating stack applied to the substrate.
Wavelength has been focused on providing high precision optical products for 20 years