A Polarizer is an important optical component that is widely used in laser systems to generate the linear polarization laser. MT-Optics, Inc makes following polarizers with four materials, a-BBO, Calcite, YVO4 and Quartz, suitable for the widest spectrum and high polarization purity application. Following is the summary for kinds of polarizers and you can compare them to choose the best suitable for your application.   Polarizer Material Illustration Properties and Application Glan-Taylor Polarizer a-BBO (200–3500nm) Calcite (230–2300nm) YVO4 (500–4000nm) Air-SpacedClose to Brewster’s Angle CuttingHigh Polarization PurityShort LengthSuitable for Low to Medium Power Application Glan-Laser Polarizer a-BBO (200–3500nm) Calcite (230–2300nm) YVO4 (500–4000nm) Air-SpacedClose to Brewster’s Angle CuttingHigh Damage ThresholdMounted with escape windowSuitable for High Power Application High Transmission Glan Laser Polarizer YVO4 (450–4000nm) Calcite (550–2400nm) Air-SpacedAll Brewster’s Angle CuttingHighest TransmissionMounted with escape windowSuitable for High Power ApplicationBrewster Angle Input  Glan-Thompson Polarizer a-BBO (220–900nm) Calcite (350–2300nm) CementedWide Acceptance Angle FieldSuitable for Low Power Application Glan Thompson Polarizing Beamsplitter Cubes Calcite (350–2300nm) CementedHigh Polarization PurityHigh TransmissionSuitable for Low Power ApplicationSplit o-ray & e-ray at 45° Broad band Polarization Beam Combiner YVO4 (500–4000nm) Air SpacedHigh Damage ThresholdBroad Band for 500–4000nm range Wollaston Polarizer a-BBO (200–3500nm) Calcite (550–2300nm) YVO4 (500–4000nm) Quartz (200–2300nm) CementedSeparates ordinary and extraordinary beams at a certain angleSuitable for low power applications and scenarios requiring large beam deviation Rochon Polarizer a-BBO (200–3500nm) YVO4 (500–4000nm) Quartz (200–2300nm) Optically ContactedHigh Polarization PuritySuitable for Low or High Power Applications   Material Comparison Table Text Extraction:   YVO4 Calcite a-BBO Quartz Transparency 500–4000nm 350–2200nm 200–3500nm 200–2300nm Crystal Class (Uniaxial) Positive (no=na=nb, ne=nc) Negative (no=na=nb, ne=nc) Negative (no=na=nb, ne=nc) Positive (no=na=nb, ne=nc) Mohs Hardness 5 3 4.5 7 Thermal Expansion Coefficient aa=4.43×10-6/k ac=11.37×10-6/k aa=24.39×10-6/k ac=5.68×10-6/k aa=4×10-6/k ac=36×10-6/k aa=6.2×10-6/k ac=10.7×10-6/k Hygroscopic Susceptibility Low Low Low Low