Product Details

Half Waveplates,Quarter Waveplates, Multiple-Order Quartz WavePlates

Introduction for Waveplates

Multiple-order quartz waveplates are an economical tool for controlling the polarization state of lasers or other narrowband light sources. The half waveplate is used to rotate the polarization direction, and the quarter waveplate is used to convert linear to circular polarization and vice versa.

Features

Our multiple-order wave plates are crystal quartz optics designed to differentially retard the phase of a polarized beam. With the proper phase shift, the half waveplate can rotate the direction of polarization. For half waveplates, the amount of polarization rotation is twice the amount of waveplate rotation. We offer dual wavelength multiple-order wave plates in addition to our standard single wavelength versions.

Quarter-wave plates are used to turn plane-polarized light into circularly polarized light and vice versa. To do this, we must orient the wave plate so that equal amounts of fast and slow waves are excited. We may do this by orienting an incident plane-polarized wave at 45° to the fast (or slow) axis, as shown.

Specifications

Material	Quartz, schlieren grade
Construction	Single plate
Retardation	λ/4 or λ/2
Retardation Accuracy	±λ/300 at 20°C ±1°C
Wavefront Distortion	≤λ/10 at 632.8 nm over the full aperture
Clear Aperture	≥central 90% of diameter
Surface Quality	10-5 scratch-dig
Wedge	<0.5 arc sec
Diameter Tolerance	+0/-0.25 mm
Reflectivity per Surface	Single wavelength: R <0.5% total, or 0.25% per surface Dual wavelength: R_avg <1.5%
Thickness	Single wavelength: 1 mm, nominal Dual wavelength: 0.5–4 mm, nominal
Cleaning	Non-abrasive method, acetone or isopropyl alcohol on lens tissue recommended, caution: fragile, thin optic
Damage Threshold	2 MW/cm² CW, 2 J/cm² with 10 nsec pulses

Dimensions: