A waveplate is made from material which exhibits birefringence and it is an optical device in which the polished faces contain the optical axis. The velocities of the extraordinary and ordinary rays through the birefringent materials vary inversely with their refractive indices. The difference in velocities gives rise to a phase difference when the two beams recombine. At any specific wavelength the phase difference is governed by the thickness of the waveplate.
Half Waveplate
A half waveplate rotates linearly polarized light to any desired orientation.The rotation angle is twice the angle between the incident polarized light and optical axis.
Quarter Waveplate
When linearly polarized light is input at 45deg to the axis of a quarter waveplate, the output is circularly polarized,similarly, input circularly polarized light is transformed into linearly polarized light.
Low Order Waveplate(Multi-Order)
Multiple order waveplate means the retardance of a light path will undergo a certain number of full wavelength shifts in addition to the fractional design retardance. The thickness of multi order waveplate is always around 0.5mm. Compared with zero order waveplate, multi order waveplate is more sensitive to wavelength and temperature changes. However, they are less expensive and widely used in many applications where the increased sensitivities are not critical.
Features:
Thickness: 0.2-0.5 mm
High Damage Threshold
Better Temperature Bandwidth
Low Cost
Dual Wavelengths Waveplate
Dual wavelength waveplate is a multiple waveplate that provides a specific retardance at two different wavelengths.
Zero Order Waveplate
The zero order waveplate is designed to give a retardance of zero full waves, plus the desired fraction. Zero order waveplate shows better performances than multiple order waveplates, it has broad bandwidth and a lower sensitivity to temperature and wavelength changes.
Zero Order Waveplate-Cemented by Epoxy
Zero Order Waveplate-Cemented by Epoxy Cemented zero order waveplate is constructed by two quartz plates with their fast axis crossed, the two plates are cemented by UV epoxy.The diference in thickness between the two plates determines the retardation.Zero order waveplates offer a substantially lower dependence on temperature and wavelength change than multi order waveplates.
Features:
Cemented by Epoxy
Thickness 1.5~2mm
Double Retardation Plates
Broad Spectral Bandwidth
Wide Temperature bandwidth
Zero Order Waveplate-Optically Contacted
Optically Contacted zero order waveplate is constructed by two quartz plates with their fast axis crossed, the two plates are constructed by opticaly contacted method, the optical path is epoxy free. The difference in thickness between the two plates determines the retardation. Zero order waveplates offer a substantially lower dependence on temperature and wavelength change than multi order waveplates.
Features:
Air Spaced
Thickness 1.5~2mm
Double Retardation Plates
Broad Spectral Bandwidth
Wide Temperature bandwidth
High Damage Threshold
Mounted
Zero Order Waveplate-Air Spaced
Air spaced zero order waveplate is constructed by two quartz plates installed in a mount, to form a air gap between the two quartz plates. The difference in thickness between the two plates determines the retardation.Zero order waveplates offer a substantially lower dependence on temperature and wavelength change than multi order waveplates.
Features:
Air Spaced
Thickness 1.5~2mm
Double Retardation Plates
Broad Spectral Bandwidth
Wide Temperature bandwidth
High Damage Threshold
Mounted
True Zero Order Waveplate-Cemented
This type of zero order waveplate is constructed of a true zero order waveplate and a BK7 substrate as the waveplate is very thin and easy to be damaged, the BK7 plate's function is to strengthen the waveplate.
Features:
Cemented by Expoy
Broad Spectral Bandwidth
Wide Temperature Bandwidth
Wide Angle Bandwidth
True Zero Order Waveplate-Single Plate
Features:
Single Plate
Wide Angle Bandwidth
Wide Temperature Bandwidth
Wide Wavelength Bandwidth
High Damage Threshold
Thin Thickness:0.04-0.09 microns
