P-polarized light

Screenshot_20240223-0830011080×2460 137 KB Have the this pair. $15.95. + shipping. They have bright led lights that are rechargeable. Work great with my reading glasses . interchangeable. Lens.

If you wear glasses, then ones like SableLiger recommended are great, as they fit down over your prescription glasses. If you don’t wear prescription glasses then look for “cheaters”, “readers”, whatever you want to call them. The higher the number, the more magnification. I use 1.5 for reading and computer work. I use 3.5 for model working. I think you can get them as high as 6.0, check Amazon.

Linearly polarized light

Accurate control of the phase shift value of the coating is needed to ensure high quality circular polarization for consistent laser cutting. It is essential that mirrors before and after the polarizing mirror do not affect the polarization of the beam (i.e they have zero phase shift). Gold coated mirrors are recommended for this purpose having one of the lowest phase shifts known (< +/-1 degree), and as a simple metal layer coating are very reliable. Gold mirrors can be used for “fault” finding where polarization problems are suspected.

I’ve been doing ok so far whilst building 1:35 armor. However the Takom Hetzer full interior kit has me thinking about more help to see the tiny parts which challenge these 91 year old eyes… I currently use one of those magnifiers thats on a huge boom and can swivel… etc. It doesn’t give me room to work under it when I really really need it. Perhaps a set of magnifying eyeglasses. that focus at 12-14". That’ll let me see and still swing tools around.

Unpolarizedlaser

Metal cutting has long been known to be sensitive to the polarization of the laser beam used. Circular polarization is used to ensure even metal cutting in different axes. Unfortunately most high power lasers have a linearly polarized output.

Circularly polarized light

Use your experience with the magnification and working distance you get with the cheap ones to select and buy the appropriate ground-glass magnification power lens plate (or plates). You don’t need to buy the entire Optivisor boxed set with all of the available lens plates at once. You can buy them individually, as needed.

I never found myself using the smaller lens on the swivel, and it in fact eventually broke off from being rammed into my work light when leaning forward.

YOCTOSUN Magnifying Glasses with 4 LED Lights, Head Mount Magnifier with Storage Case,5 Lenses, Headband, Hands Free Lighted Head Magnifying Visor for Hobby Crafts & Close Work https://a.co/d/i7WBz3g

Having said all of the above, I do have a number of modeling friends who really like the inexpensive drug-store magnified “reading glasses.” These might be worth checking out (especially since you can just walk into the drug store and try them on).

Polarization of laser beamexperiment

@corsutton Hits the mark here. I have reader magnifier eyeglasses from +2 to +6 that I use for all my modeling. I keep them lined up at the back of my bench and just switch among them when I need more or less magnification. They are much lighter and less claustrophobic than a visor and you can easily look over them to locate tools / read instructions. They let in more light. They’re cheaper than an Optivisor, too. You can order a whole set online from any number of sources or find them at the dollar store.

S-polarization vs p-polarization

I finally pulled the trigger on a pair of genuine Optivisors with a couple of different magnification power lenses. As @flatfour observes, the lenses are glass and so are nearly impervious to scratches and anything I’ve every splashed on them has wiped and cleaned away with no problems.

Linearpolarization

But I manage to get by with my 4x Opti Visor, two 1.7x ring-light magnifiers, a 5x hand loupe, a 10x jeweler’s loupe and a 17x geologist’s magnifier, and lots of light.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285276909074?chn=ps&var=587150910985&srsltid=AfmBOooycnBGAsuJKpNCtJNCXUVdpxdcV_OSvDsseOF74WH3R1xPqKajsL8

Once you get used to wearing them, you’ll never work without them again. First thing I do when I walk into my workroom is to put them on and taking them off is the last thing I do before turning out the lights.

To convert linear polarization to circular polarization a 1/4 wave phase retarding mirror is needed. Often these are known as polarizers, ECQ mirrors, or 90 degree retarders.

Laser Beam Products stock a range of standard reflective phase retarder mirrors both from copper and silicon, as well as offering custom designs.

However, they’re cheap because their lenses are plastic. My problem with them was that I either wound up scratching them (always in a spot directly in front of my eyes!) or I splashed a drop or two of some solvent-based paint, glue, filler, etc. on them which etched permanent defects.

I have one similar to SableLiger’s; I think mine is an Optivisor or a knock-off. It came with a set of different magnification inserts depending on your needs.