Optical waveplates (retardation plates or optical retarders) are birefringent optical elements with two principal axes – called the fast and slow axes – defined by the relative propagation speeds of linear polarizations in the medium. By selecting the appropriate retardation and the angle between the incident polarization and the optic’s principal planes, the polarization state of an incoming beam can be controlled.
We offer a wide range of half and quarter waveplates for many different uses.
In addition to single components, we also supply functional subunits tailored to your needs, such as isolators comprising a quarter-waveplate and polarizing beamsplitter cube mounted together in a single drop-in unit. Selecting the right optical waveplate can be challenging due to the wide range available for many different uses.
Please contact us – our experienced staff is happy to assist you in choosing the best option.
The specification limits of optical retarders depend on the materials chosen and the type of waveplate. As a general overview we here present the specification limits of our zero order waveplates.
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Specification | Available Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 10:55 AM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 10:55 AM | Wavefront distortion | λ/8 |
| 2 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 10:55 AM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 10:55 AM | Retardation tolerance | λ/500 |
| 3 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 10:55 AM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 10:55 AM | Parallelism | 1 arcsec |
| 4 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 10:55 AM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 10:55 AM | Surface quality | 20-10 S/D (DIN: 5/2 x 0.1) |
Detailed description of different types
Our achromatic half waveplates or achromatic quarter waveplates with a retardation tolerance of λ/100 provide extremely broad wavelength range with only one optic.
The achromatic waveplate is similar to the zero order waveplate in that two plates with opposing retardation are used to achieve the final result.
The difference is 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 over a wide wavelength range.
Since this optic functions by absorption, it is only useful for low powers, typically in the mW range. Typical polarization extinction ratios (PER or contrast) will be in the range 1,000-10,000 in the visible and 1,000-100,000 in the IR. The acceptance angle can be very high meaning that the angle of incidence of the light beam onto the surface of the polarizer can be very high – almost up to 90°. This is particularly important for non-laser applications. Also, these polarizers can be quite large.
Polymer sheet polarizers may be produced in areas of many m². In some cases, the flexibility of polymer sheets is not desired. In these cases, the sheet may be cemented between two windows forming a rigid optic with much lower wave front distortion.
The low order waveplate is the most inexpensive design but is very sensitive to variations in wavelength and temperature.
The low (multiple) 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 the desired performance.
However, even small variation in wavelength or temperature will result in significant changes in the desired fractional retardance.
The zero order waveplate is designed to give a retardance of zero full waves, plus the desired fraction. Zero order waveplates show better performance than multiple order waveplates.
These waveplates exhibit broad bandwidth and a lower sensitivity to temperature and wavelength changes. They should be considered for more critical applications.
We offer optically contacted, cemented and air-spaced zero order waveplates. The choice depends essentially on economics and power handling capabilities.
The true zero order waveplate is a single plate whose thickness is designed to give a retardance of the desired fraction. Zero order waveplates show better performance than multiple order ones.
They exhibit broad bandwidth and a lower sensitivity to temperature and wavelength changes. They should be considered for more critical applications.
We offer single plate true zero order waveplates for longer wavelengths. At short wavelengths, the plate becomes too thin to handle. In these cases we can offer either a true single order waveplate or a true zero order waveplate cemented to a glass substrate.
In this case we also offer a proprietary design: the glass substrate can have an annular form so that the beam does not actually pass through the glass.
Our mid-IR waveplates are true zero or single order designs manufactured from MgF2 providing high transmission and very low wavefront distortion.
The true zero order retardation plate is a single plate whose thickness is designed to give a retardance of the desired fraction.
Zero order waveplates show better performance than multiple order waveplates.
These retardation plates exhibit broad bandwidth and a lower sensitivity to temperature and wavelength changes. They should be considered for more critical applications.
We offer single plate true zero order waveplates for longer wavelengths. At short wavelengths, the plate becomes too thin to handle. In these cases we can offer a true single order waveplate.
Our waveplates are quoted standard unmounted, except for air-spaced waveplates which are quoted standard mounted. If you require mounted waveplates, you can find a list of our standard mounts here. Of course, we can also manufacture to your custom size or design as required.
