Waveplates

Achromatic Waveplates are available over a wide spectral range (Visible - IR) in two types (λ/4, λ/2) and have many choices in size. The slow and fast axes of two respective birefringent materials (Quartz & MgF2) are linked together by cementing/air-spacing to form these waveplates. The material MgF2 helps in abating the wavelength dependence of phase retardation in these waveplates. Thus, giving access to a flat response over a wide range of wavelength. With this feature of having large bandwidth, these waveplates are used with tunable lasers, multiple laser line systems and, other broad-spectrum sources. Wavelength Opto-Electronic now can produce customized achromatic waveplates with many options with coating, without coating, in various sizes and having different design wavelengths than those presented below.

Material: Crystal Quartz (SiO₂) & Magnesium Fluoride (MgF₂)
Operating Wavelength: 450-650nm | 550-750nm | 650-1100nm | 900-2100nm
Surface Quality: 40/20 Scratch and Dig
Type: Cemented | Air-Spaced
Retardation: Quarter-Wave (λ/4) & Half-Wave (λ/2)
Mount: Black Anodized Aluminium
Diameter: 0.5", 1", 1.5" & 2"
Dimension Tolerance: +0.0/-0.2mm
Damage Threshold: Cemented: >500mJ/cm², 20ns, 20Hz @1064nm | Air spaced: >5J/cm², 20ns, 20Hz @1064nm

A single birefringent material is made into a thin plate at a specific zero-order level of retardation is known as True zero-order waveplate. The thinness of a plate makes optical fabrication difficult and the handling delicate. Despite that provides a large field angle, independent of temperature changes, and has greater retardation stability to wavelength shifts. The delicacy in handling and difficulty in optical assembling can be eliminated either by cementing, optical contacting, or air-spacing a zero-order waveplate to a thicker glass plate (non-birefringent) and attains mechanical stabilization. These waveplates are applicable in observing broad-spectral wavelength range, in taking temperature-independent measurements and for imaging systems necessitating large field angle.

Wavelength Opto-Electronic provides Zero-Order Waveplates at various wavelengths in different sizes and different mechanical stabilities. We also provide customized zero-order waveplates to meet your requirements.

Material: Crystal, Quartz (SiO₂)
Wavelength: 266, 355, 405, 532, 980, 1034 & 1550nm
Surface Quality: 20/10 Scratch and Dig
Type: Cemented / Single Plate
Retardation: Quarter-Wave (λ/4) & Half-Wave (λ/2)
Substrate: N-BK7
Diameter: 0.5", 1", 1.5" & 2"
Dimension Tolerance: +0.0/-0.2mm
Damage Threshold: >500mJ/cm², 20ns, 20Hz @ 1064nm

A Waveplate of single birefringent material producing an integer multiple of retardance besides the desired fractional retardance is called Multi-Order Waveplate. It has wavelength-dependent and temperature-dependent retardance more than a zero-order waveplate. Hence, these waveplates are mostly used in low power applications and also in the applications where the retardance is independent of wavelength and temperature. Wavelength Opto-Electronic put forward multi-order waveplates at different design wavelengths, sizes and also can customize other than what is presented below.

Material: Crystal, Quartz (SiO₂)
Wavelength: 266, 355, 405, 532, 980, 1034 & 1550nm
Surface Quality: 20/10 scratch and dig
Waveplate Thickness: 0.3-0.5mm
Retardation: Quarter-Wave (λ/4) & Half-Wave (λ/2)
Diameter: 0.5", 1", 1.5" & 2"
Dimension Tolerance: +0.0/-0.2mm
Damage Threshold: >10J/cm², 20ns, 20Hz @1064nm