Waveplate

Waveplates and polarization rotators use birefringence to transform, control, or analyze the polarization state of light.  Our catalog line of high energy quartz retarders include 90° polarization rotators, multiple-order and compound zero-order waveplates, as well as Nd:YAG dual wavelength options, all with highly accurate retardation.  These come as standard and semi-custom for the most popular wavelengths from 193 – 1550 nm.  Our semi-custom waveplates allow your choice of zero- or multiple-order, wavelength, diameter, retardation, and ring- or air- spaced mounting.  Choosing the right wave retarder for a specific application can be challenging, so our technical support team is available to assist you in the decision.  If your application requires more than a catalog solution, we are ready to meet your needs with customized offerings.

 

We can manufacture 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.  Our catalog quartz polarization rotators can also be customized for your specific wavelength, rotation angle, or size.  We perform true optical measurement of retardation tolerance in-house for all of our waveplates, demonstrating our commitment to exceptional polarization control.    

We have extensive experience in manufacturing quartz retarders with very low transmitted wavefront error, tight parallelism and retardation control, and pristine 10 – 5 surface quality, coated with low-loss high energy antireflection coatings for maximum power handling. We can supply parts with fully custom tolerances, should they be tighter or looser, working with you to define the best set of specifications for your application. Relaxed specifications may also be appropriate for wave retarders for use at UV wavelengths or in larger sizes.  Please call us to discuss your cost and performance requirements.  

In addition to quartz, we can also manufacture custom zero-order mica waveplates for low power applications at visible and near-infrared wavelengths.

 

 

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

 

 

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.

•Wide Angle Acceptance

•Better Temperature Bandwidth

•Wide Wavelength Bandwidth

•AR Coated,R<0.2%

Standard Wavelength:532nm,632.8nm,1064nm

 

 

 

 

 

•True Zero Order Wavepalte

•Epoxy Free

•High Power:>10J/cm2@1064nm,20ns,20Hz

•Wide Wavelength:400-3000nm

•Good for UV Application

•Easy Handing

 

 

 

 

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

b. Based on our unique optical bonding technology,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.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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

 

         

         λ/2@532nm                             λ/4@532nm

Lasertec Standard Products(Without Holder)

 

 

 

 

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。

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.

• Optically Contacted

• AR Coated,R<0.2%

•High Damage Threshold                           

•Better Temperature Bandwidth

•Wide Wavelength Bandwidth

                                                

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

 

 

 

Lasertec Standard Products(Without Holder)

Zero Order Waveplate Air-spaced
   Double Retardation Plates

 AR Coated,R<0.2% and Mounted

   High Damage Threshold

   Better Temperature Bandwidth

    Wide Wavelength Bandwidth

Lasertec Standard Products

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

•Better Temperature Bandwidth

•Wide Wavelength Bandwidth

•AR Coated,R<0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

•Cemented by Epoxy

•Wide Angle Acceptance

•Better Temperature Bandwidth

•Wide Wavelength Bandwidth

•AR Coated,R<0.2%

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

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

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.

Standard Wavelength:

λ/4: 1310nm, 1480nm, 1550nm

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

Minimal Thickness:0.038mm

 

 

 

 

Lasertec has special designed achromatic waveplates by using two pieces of plates.It is similar to Zero-order waveplate except that the two plates are made from different materials,such as crystal quartz and magnesium fluoride.Since the dispersion of the birefringence can be different for the two materials,it is possible to specify the retardation values at a wavelength range,From the curve,you can see that the bandwidth of such achromatic waveplate is very wide ,while the achromatic waveplates remain a nearly constant retardance over a range of wavelength.

 

 

 

     

WPBXXXH 465-650nm                                 WPBXXXQ 465-650nm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WPQ is our new product,true zero order waveplate single waveplate on annual glass frames,the ray only through the quartz,epoxy free.It can meet high damage threshold and better parallelism.The frames can be designed by different requirement.

Standard Wavelength:

λ/4: 1310nm, 1480nm, 1550nm

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

 

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

•Wide Angle Acceptance

•Better Temperature Bandwidth

•Wide Wavelength Bandwidth

•AR Coated,R<0.2%

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