Waveplates

Waveplates introduce a controlled phase delay between orthogonal polarization components. The reference range distinguishes multiple-order, low-order, zero-order, achromatic and dual-wavelength constructions, including their mounting and bonding options.

Properties, applications and specifications

Birefringent waveplates and polarization rotators control or analyze polarization. High-energy quartz reference configurations include 90° rotators, multiple-order and compound zero-order waveplates, and Nd:YAG dual-wavelength options. The stated common wavelength range is 193 – 1550 nm. Design variables include retardance, order, wavelength, diameter and ring or air-spaced mounting.

Reference options include quartz waveplates with custom retardation for use at wavelengths from 193 to 2100 nm, and with special shapes in diameters up to 2 inches. This includes compound zero-order waveplates, multiple-order waveplates for single or dual wavelength operation, as well as low-order waveplates for applications where a large field of view or high stability with wavelength and temperature variation is required. Depending on the laser damage threshold, environmental and cost constraints, compound waveplates may be cemented, optically contacted, or air-spaced. The reference range quartz polarization rotators can also be customized for the specific wavelength, rotation angle, or size.

Quartz-retarder reference specifications include low transmitted wavefront error, controlled parallelism and retardation, and 10 – 5 surface quality. Low-loss antireflection coatings support high-energy operation. Tolerances may be adapted for UV wavelengths, larger apertures or different system requirements.

Zero-order mica waveplates are another option for low-power visible and near-infrared applications.

Capabilities

	Standard & Semi-custom	Additional Custom Options
Types	λ/2 & λ/4 Multiple order waveplates λ/2 & λ/4 Compound zero waveplates Dual wavelength waveplates 90° Polarization rotators	Custom retardations & wavelengths Custom retardation angles Low-order quartz waveplates Mica true zero-order waveplates, bare or laminated
Materials	Crystal quartz	Mica
Dimensions	Waveplates: 12.7 to 50.8 mm Rotators: 12.7 mm	5.0 to 50.8 mm
Wavelengths	Waveplates: 193 - 1550 nm Polarization rotators: 532, 1064 nm	Waveplates: 193 - 2020 nm Polarization rotators: 193 - 1550 nm
Coatings	Narrowband V-coat AR Dual-wavelength AR (532/1064 nm)	Other wavelength AR (193 - 2100 nm) Lower reflectivity AR
Construction	Ring mounted Optically contacted Air-spaced mounted	Custom ring mounted
Quality	Laser quality	See manufacturing tolerances below

Quartz Waveplate Manufacturing Capabilities**

Surface Tolerances	Precision	Laser Quality	High Precision
Surface quality (scratch - dig)	20 - 10	10 - 5	5 - 2
Surface roughness (Å, RMS)	10	7	3 - 5
Transmitted Wavefront Error (waves, P-V @ 633 nm)	λ/2	λ/10	λ/25
Parallelism	≤ 2 arc sec	≤ 0.5 arc sec
Retardance Tolerance	λ/50 @ 23°C	λ/200 @ 23°C	λ/500 @ 23°C
Dimensional  Tolerances	Commercial	Precision	High Precision
Diameter (mm)	+0.000 / -0.250	+0.000 / -0.100	+0.000 / -0.015
Clear aperture (%)	≥ 85%	≥ 90%	≥ 95%

Quartz Rotator Manufacturing Capabilities**

Surface  Tolerances	Precision	Laser Quality	High Precision
Surface quality (scratch - dig)	40 - 20	10 - 5	5 - 2
Surface roughness (Å, RMS)	10	7	3 - 5
Transmitted Wavefront Error (waves, P-V @ 633 nm)	λ/2 to λ/4	λ/6 to λ/10*	λ/25
Parallelism	≤ 1 arc sec	≤ 0.5 arc sec
Rotation angle		± 0.5° at 23°C
Dimensional  Tolerances	Commercial	Precision	High Precision
Diameter (mm)	+0.000 / -0.250	+0.000 / -0.100	+0.000 / -0.010
Clear aperture (%)	≥ 85%	≥ 90%	≥ 95%

Waveplates (retardation plates or phase shifters) are made from materials which exhibit birefringence. The velocities of the extraordinary and ordinary rays through the birefringent material varies inversely with their refractive indices. This difference in velocities gives rise to a phase difference when the two beams recombine. In the case of an incident linearly polarized beam this is given by α=2πd(neno)/λ, where α is phase difference; d is thickness of waveplate; ne,no are refractive indices of extraordinary and ordinary rays respectively; λ is wavelength. At any specific wavelength the phase difference is governed by the thickness of the retarder.

λ/2 Waveplate

The thickness of a half waveplate is such that the phase difference is 1/2-wavelength (λ/2,true zero order) or certain multiple of 1/2-wavelength [(2n+1)λ/2,multiple order].

A linearly polarized beam incident on a half waveplate emerges as a linearly polarized beam but rotated such that its angle to the optical axis is twice that of the incident beam. Therefore, half-waveplates can be used as continuously adjustable polarization rotators. Half-waveplates are used to rotate the plane of polarization, electro-optic modulation and as a variable ratio beamsplitter when used in conjunction with a polarization cube.

λ/4 Waveplate

The thickness of the quarter waveplate is such that the phase difference is 1/4 wavelength (λ/ 4,true zero order) or certain multiple of 1/4 wavelength [(2n+1)λ/4,multiple order].

If the angle θ (between the electric field vector of the incident linearly polarized beam and the retarder principal plane) of the quarter-waveplate is 45°, the emergent beam is circularly polarized. When a quarter waveplate is double passed, i.e. by mirror reflection, it acts as a half waveplates and rotates the plane of polarization to a certain angle. Quarter waveplate are used in creating circular polarization from linear or linear polarization from circular, ellipsometry, optical pumping, suppressing unwanted reflection and optical isolation

Waveplate		Part #	（λ/100 Bandwidth）λ/2@532nm	Acceptance Angle	Plates	Damage Threshold
Multi-order Waveplate(Quartz)		WPMXXXX	0.29nm (T=0.9686nm)	Low	Single	1GW/cm2
Low-order Waveplate (Quartz)		WPLXXXX	0.92nm (T=0.3036mm)	Medium	Single	1GW/cm2
Zero-order Waveplate (Quartz)	Optically Contracted	WPOXXXX	19.22nm (△T=0.0145mm)	Low	Double (Optical Contacted)	~200 MW/cm2
	Air-spaced	WPAXXXX	19.22nm (△T=0.0145mm)	Low	Double (Air Contacted)	~500 MW/cm2
	Cemented	WPCXXXX	19.22nm (△T=0.0145mm)	Low	Double Cemented (Epoxy)	~100 MW/cm2
Achromatic Waveplate (Quartz)		WPBXXXX	200nm	Low	Double (Optical Contacted or Air Contacted)	~10MW/cm2
True Zero-order Waveplate	High Power Waveplate	WPHXXXX	19.22nm (T=0.0145mm)	High	Double (Optical Bonding)	>1GW/cm2
	Cemented	WPFXXXX	19.22nm (T=0.0145mm)	High	Double (CementedContacted)	~10MW/cm2
	Single Plate	WPSXXXX	19.22nm (T=0.0145mm)	High	Single	>1GW/cm2
Single Plate (Quartz) with BK7 Holder		WPQXXXX	19.22nm (T=0.0145mm)	High	Single (BK7 Ring as Holder)	>1GW/cm2
DoubleWavelength Waveplate (Quartz)		WPDXXXX	Very Small	Low	Single	1GW/cm2
Fresnal Rhomb Retarder		FRRXXXX	Broadband	Medium	Single or Double (Optical Contact or Cemented)	500MW/cm2
Polarization Rotators(Quartz)		WPRXXXX	20nm	High	Single	1GW/cm2
IR Waveplate		WPSXXX-M		High	Single	>1GW/cm2

POLARIZATION ROTATORS

Polarization roators offer 45° to 90°rotation at a number of common laser wavelengths.The optical axis in apolarization rotator is perpendicular to the polished face.The result is that the orientation of in put linearly polarized light is rotated as it propagates through the device.

Specifications

•Wide Angle Acceptance

•Better Temperature Bandwidth

•Wide Wavelength Bandwidth

•AR Coated,R<0.2%

Standard Wavelength:532nm,632.8nm,1064nm

Reference product configurations

Quarter Waveplate P/ N#	Diameter(mm)	Rotation
WPR4512	12.7	45°
WPR4515	15.0	45°
WPR4520	20.0	45°
WPR4525	25.4	45°
WPR9012	12.7	90°
WPR9015	15.0	90°
WPR9020	20.0	90°
WPR9025	25.4	90°

HIGH POWER WAVEPLATE

Features

•True Zero Order Wavepalte

•Epoxy Free

•High Power:>10J/cm2@1064nm,20ns,20Hz

•Wide Wavelength:400-3000nm

•Good for UV Application

•Easy Handing

Waveplate Comparison	High Power Waveplate	Low-order Waveplate	Zero-order wavepalte(Cemented/Optical Contacted)
For Short	WPH	WPL	WPC/WPO
λ/100Spectra Bandwidth@532nm	9.16nm	0.51nm	9.16nm
λ/100Temperture Bandwidth△T	230.56k	12.13k	230.56k
Acceptance Angle	11.37°	2.63°	11.37°
Damage Threshold@1064nm,10ns,20Hz	>10J/cm2	>10J/cm2	~0.1J/cm2（WPC） ~2J/cm2(WPO)
Extinction Ratio	High	High	Low

Quarter Waveplate Part No.	Half Waveplate Part No.	Diameter
WPH210Q	WPH210H	10.0
WPH212Q	WPH212H	12.7
WPH215Q	WPH215H	15.0
WPH220Q	WPH220H	20.0
WPH225Q	WPH225H	25.4
WPH230Q	WPH230H	30.0

Advantages of High Power Waveplate

a.Compare with WPL,WPH has wider spectra&temperature bandwidth and wider angular field.

b. Based on optical bonding,WPH has higher damage threshold and better extinction ratio which compared with WPO or WPC.

c. The thickness of WPH is more suitable for handing compare with single plate true zero order waveplate,which is easy to be damaged.

LOW ORDER WAVEPALTE

The low order waveplate which can be replaced by mulit-order waveplate is designed to give a retardance of several full waves,plus the desired fraction.This results in a single,physically robust component with desired performance.However,even small varitation in wavelength or temperature will result in significant changes in the desired fraction retardance.

Specification
Material	Quartz
Dimension Tolerance	+0.0,-0.1
Wavefront Distortion	λ/8@633nm
Retardation Tolerance	λ/60-λ/150(λ<400nm) λ/150-λ/350(400nm<λ<700nm) λ/350-λ/600(λ>700nm)
Parallelism	<1 arc second
Surface Quality	20/10scratch /dig
Clear Apterure	Central 90%
AR Coating	<0.2%@wavelength
Holder	Refer to <>

Standard Wavelength: 266nm, 355nm, 632.8nm, 780nm, 808nm, 980nm, 1064nm, 1310nm, 1550nm

λ/2@532nm λ/4@532nm

Reference product configurations(Without Holder)

Quartz Waveplate P/N#	Half Waveplate P/N#	Diameter(mm)
WPL210Q	WPL210H	10.0
WPL212Q	WPL212H	12.7
WPL215Q	WPL215H	15.0
WPL220Q	WPL220H	20.0
WPL225Q	WPL225H	25.4
WPL230Q	WPL230H	30.0

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 performance than multiple order wavepalte.It has broad bandwidth and a lower sensitivity to temperature and wavelength changes.It should be considered for more critical applications。

Specification
Material	Quartz
Dimension Tolerance	+0.0,-0.1
Wavefront Distortion	<λ/8@633nm
Retardation Tolerance	λ/60-λ/150(λ<400nm) λ/150-λ/350(400nm<λ<700nm) λ/350-λ/600(λ>700nm)
Parallelism	<1 arc second
Surface Quality	20/10scratch /dig
Clear Apterure	Central 90%
AR Coating	<0.2%@wavelength
Holder	Refer to<>

StandarWavelength:266nm,355nm,532nm,632.8nm,780nm,808nm,980nm,1064nm,1310nm,1550nm

Note:wavelengths within the range of 240-2300nm are also available upon request.

Zero Order Waveplates Optically Contacted

• Optically Contacted

•High Damage Threshold

StandardWavelength:266nm,355nm,532nm,632.8nm,780nm,808nm,850nm,980nm,1064nm,1310nm,1480nm,1550nm

Quartz Waveplate P/N#	Half Waveplate P/N#	Diameter(mm)
WPO210Q	WPO210H	10.0
WPO212Q	WPO212H	12.7
WPO215Q	WPO215H	15.0
WPO220Q	WPO220H	20.0
WPO225Q	WPO225H	25.4
WPO230Q	WPO230H	30.0

Zero Order Waveplate Air-spaced Double Retardation Plates

AR Coated,R<0.2% and Mounted

High Damage Threshold

Better Temperature Bandwidth

Wide Wavelength Bandwidth

Quartz Waveplates P/N#	Half Waveplates P/N#	Waveplate Aperture(mm)	Mount Diameter(mm)	Mount Thickness(mm)
WPA210Q	WPA210H	10.0	25.4	6.0
WPA212Q	WPA212H	12.7	25.4	6.0
WPA215Q	WPA215H	15.0	25.4	6.0
WPA220Q	WPA220H	20.0	30.0	6.0
WPA225Q	WPA225H	25.4	30.0	6.0
WPA230Q	WPA230H	30.0	38.1	6.0

Zero Order Waveplates Cemented by Epoxy

This type of zero order waveplate is constructed of two multiple order waveplate with their axes crossed.Thus the effect of the first plate is canceled by the second ,except for the residual difference between them,

•Cemented by Epoxy

Quartz Waveplate P/N#	Half Waveplate P/N#	Diameter(mm)
WPC210Q	WPC210H	10.0
WPC212Q	WPC212H	12.7
WPC215Q	WPC215H	15.0
WPC220Q	WPC220H	20.0
WPC225Q	WPC225H	25.4
WPC230Q	WPC230H	30.0

TRUE ZERO ORDER WAVEPLATE

This type of 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 plates function is to strengthen the wavepalte.

Standard Wavelength:

λ/4:532nm，632.8nm，780nm,808nm,980nm,1064nm,1310nm,1480nm,1550nm

λ/2:532nm，632.8nm，780nm,808nm,980nm,1064nm,1310nm,1480nm,1550nm

Quarter Waveplate P/ N#	Half Waveplate P/ N#	Diameter(mm)
WPF210Q	WPF210H	10.0
WPF212Q	WPF212H	12.7
WPF215Q	WPF215H	15.0
WPF220Q	WPF220H	20.0
WPF225Q	WPF225H	25.4
WPF230Q	WPF230H	30.0

True Zero Order Waveplate Single Waveplte

This type of waveplate is made of a very thin quartz waveplate which function as true zero order.In some cases ,the thickness required for single true zero order waveplates is too thin,they have to be provided as first order waveplate.

λ/4: 1310nm, 1480nm, 1550nm

λ/2: 980nm, 1064nm, 1310nm,1480nm, 1550nm

Minimal Thickness:0.038mm

Quarter Waveplate P/ N#	Half Waveplate P/ N#	Diameter(mm)
WPS210Q	WPS210H	10.0
WPS212Q	WPS212H	12.7
WPS215Q	WPS215H	15.0
WPS220Q	WPS220H	20.0
WPS225Q	WPS225H	25.4
WPS230Q	WPS230H	30.0

ACHROMATIC WAVEPLATES

Achromatic waveplates combine two birefringent materials, such as quartz and magnesium fluoride. Their different dispersion allows retardance to remain nearly constant over a wider wavelength interval. This differs from a compound zero-order plate made from two sections of the same material.

Specification
Material	Quartz and MgF2
Wavefront Distortion	λ/8@633nm
Dimension Tolerance	+0.0,-0.1
Retardation Tolerance	λ/100
Parallelism	1 arc second
Surface Quality	40/20 Scratch /Dig
Clear Apterure	Central 90%
AR Coating	Ravg<0.8% at Central Wavelength
Standard Wavelength	VIS 465-650nm,NIR650-1100nm,IR1000-1750m,

WPBXXXH 465-650nm WPBXXXQ 465-650nm

Achromatic Waveplate Optical Cemented

Quartz Waveplate P/N#	Half Waveplate P/N#	Diameter(mm)
WPB210Q	WPB210H	10.0
WPB212Q	WPB212H	12.7
WPB215Q	WPB215H	15.0
WPB220Q	WPB220H	20.0
WPB225Q	WPB225H	25.4
WPB230Q	WPB230H	30.0

Achromatic Waveplate Air-Spaced(Mounted)

Quartz Waveplate P/N#	Half Waveplate P/N#	Waveplate Aperture(mm)	Mount Diameter(mm)
WPB510Q	WPB510H	10.0	12.7
WPB512Q	WPB512H	12.7	25.4
WPB515Q	WPB515H	15.0	25.4
WPB520Q	WPB520H	20.0	25.4
WPB525Q	WPB525H	25.4	30.0
WPB530Q	WPB530H	30.0	38.1

The WPQ reference design supports a thin true-zero-order quartz plate in an annular glass frame. The beam passes through quartz without epoxy in the optical path. Frame geometry, parallelism and damage resistance depend on the specified assembly.

Quarter Waveplate P/ N#	Half Waveplate P/ N#	Diameter(mm)
WPQ210Q	WPQ210H	10.0
WPQ212Q	WPQ212H	12.7
WPQ215Q	WPQ215H	15.0
WPQ220Q	WPQ220H	20.0
WPQ225Q	WPQ225H	25.4
WPQ230Q	WPQ230H	30.0

Double Wavelength Waveplate

Double Wavelength Waveplate is a special kind of multi-order waveplate.It can meet the required retardation at two wavelength at the same time.It widely used to improve the conversion efficiency in solid double frequency laser device.

• Better Parallelism

λ@1064nm+λ/2@532nm，λ/2@1064nm+λ@532nm

λ@532nm+λ/2@355nm, λ/2@532nm+λ@355nm

λ@800nm+λ/2@400nm, λ/2@800nm+λ@400nm

P/ N#	Diameter(mm)
WPD210	10.0
WPD212	12.7
WPD215	15.0
WPD220	20.0
WPD225	25.4
WPD230	30.0

Equation note: the legacy expression neno is ambiguous. Retardance is interpreted as δ = 2πd(nₑ − nₒ)/λ; the original expression remains above for traceability.