Waveplates

A waveplate or retardation plate is an optically transparent material which resolves a beam of polarized light into two orthogonal components; retards the phase of one component relative to the other; then recombines the components into a single beam with new polarization characteristics.

Special Optics offers Zero and Multiple Waveplates as well as Achromatic Waveplates. We have thousands of waveplates in stock for immediate delivery. All waveplates are available either mounted or unmounted. Please specify when ordering. Custom waveplate orders are welcome. To receive a custom waveplate quote email or call us or complete our line Custom Lens Quote Request Form.

Zero and Multiple Order Waveplates

A Zero or Multiple Waveplate is constructed of two Crystal Quartz plates that are oriented so that the optical axes are orthogonal. All Special Optics zero-order waveplates are an air-spaced design and comprised of two pieces of Crystal Quartz. Our mass production allows us to match waveplate halves so that retardation plates can be assembled for any wavelength throughout the 248-1600nm range.

Specifications:			Features
Material	Quartz		No UV Cement Used in Construction (Air-Spaced Design) High Damage Threshold (500 MW/cm2) Minimal Insertion Loss
Retardation Tolerance	+/- 0.005 Waves
Parallelism	< 1 Arc Second
Wavefront Deformation	1/8 Wave
AR Coatings	< 0.50 % Reflectance Per Surface

Stock Wavelengths For Immediate Delivery

Available Zero and Multiple Order Waveplates

Please replace λ in model number with working wavelength when ordering.
* Please request Mounted or Unmounted when ordering.

Achromatic Waveplates

An Achromatic Waveplate is similar to a Zero-Order Waveplate but instead or being designed with pieces of Crystal Quartz, an Achromatic Waveplate is made up of one piece of Crystal Quartz and one piece of Magnesium Fluoride, MgF2. As a result of the dissimilar wavelength dependence value shifts in one plate due to the wavelength change will be compensated by the other plate. Because both crystal quartz and MgF2 have positive birefringence, achromatic waveplates are sensitive to alignment and are recommended only for use with collimated beams. With an air-spaced design, Achromatic Waveplates offer a broader bandwidth than zero or multiple waveplates and a higher damage threshold than polymer wavelates.

Click here for Achromatic Waveplate Curves

Specifications:			Features
Material	Quartz + MgF2
Retardation Tolerance
Parallelism
Wavefront Deformation
AR Coatings

Available Achromatic Waveplates

* Please request Mounted or Unmounted when ordering.