Our zero-order quarter waveplates are temperature insensitive phase retarders for moderate bandwidth applications. These zero-order wave plates are constructed of two air spaced quartz waveplates, enabling use with high-power diode lasers or tunable lasers.
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05RP04-48 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 400 nm |
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$477 |
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05RP04-49 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 520 nm |
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$477 |
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05RP04-16 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 532 nm |
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$477 |
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05RP04-24 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 632.8 nm |
In Stock
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$477 |
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05RP04-46 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 800 nm |
In Stock
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$477 |
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05RP04-30 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 850 nm |
In Stock
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$477 |
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05RP04-31 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 905 nm | $477 |
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05RP04-50 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 1030 nm |
In Stock
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$477 |
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05RP04-51 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 1040 nm |
In Stock
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$477 |
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05RP04-32 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 1050 nm |
In Stock
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$477 |
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05RP04-34 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 1064 nm |
In Stock
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$477 |
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05RP04-40 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 1550 nm | $477 |
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10RP04-02 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 266 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-08 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 354.7 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-48 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 400 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-41 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 413 nm |
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$565 |
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10RP04-10 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 441.6 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-12 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 488 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-14 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 514.5 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-49 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 520 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-16 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 532 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-24 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 632.8 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-28 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 780 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-46 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 800 nm |
1 Week
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$565 |
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10RP04-30 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 850 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-31 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 905 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-50 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 1030 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-51 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 1040 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-34 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 1064 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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10RP04-36 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 1300 nm | $565 |
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10RP04-40 Zero-Order Waveplate, Quarter-Wave, Quartz, 25.4 mm Diameter, 1550 nm |
In Stock
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$565 |
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These zero-order wave plates are constructed of two quartz plates, air-spaced to allow for use with high-power lasers. By combining two wave plates whose retardations differ by exactly λ/4, a true quarter wave plate results. The fast axis of one plate is aligned with the slow axis of the other, so that the net retardation is the difference of the two retardations. We offer zero-order wave plates antireflection coated to maximize transmission for major laser wavelengths from 248–1550 nm. The waveplate assembly is mounted in a 12.7 mm or 25.4 mm diameter black anodized aluminum housing to protect the waveplate and permit convenient handling and mounting. Lines on the housing indicate the direction of the slow axis.
Quarter-wave waveplates are used to turn plane-polarized light into circularly polarized light and vice versa. To do this, we must orient the wave plate so that equal amounts of fast and slow waves are excited – for example, by orienting an incident plane-polarized wave at 45° to the fast (or slow) axis. On the other side of the waveplate, we again examine the wave at a point where the fast-polarized component is at maximum. At this point, the slow-polarized component will be passing through zero, since it has been retarded by a quarter-wave or 90° in phase. If we move an eighth wavelength farther, we will note that the two are the same magnitude, but the fast component is decreasing and the slow component is increasing. Moving another eighth wave, we find the slow component is at maximum and the fast component is zero. If we trace the tip of the total electric vector, we find it traces out a helix, with a period of just one wavelength. This describes circularly polarized light.
Zero-order wave plates offer several distinct advantages over multiple order wave plates. The primary benefit is a moderate insensitivity to wavelength change, making them ideal for laser diode or tunable laser applications. For example, a zero-order wave plate designed for 780 nm will provide useful retardance from 765–795 nm.
Quartz waveplates are more sensitive to incidence angle than our Polymer waveplates. Polymer waveplates have excellent angular field of view and the retardation changes by less than 1% over a ±12° incidence angle.
Retardation in zero-order wave plates is insensitive to temperature since thermal changes between the two quartz plates tend to cancel out. A typical zero-order wave plate has a temperature coefficient of 0.0001 λ/°C compared to 0.0015 λ/°C for a multiple-order wave plate, providing less change in retardation over an extended temperature range.
These waveplates' two quartz plates are air-spaced rather than cemented together. As a result, they can be used in high power applications because optical cement can be susceptible to damage when exposed to high intensity laser beams. Additionally, quartz has a higher damage threshold than some other retardation materials such as polymer film.
Quartz is an example of a uniaxial crystal, or crystal in which one axis has a different refractive index than the other two axes. The index associated with the unique axis is called the extraordinary index, the ordinary refractive index is associated with the remaining two axes. A half or quarter wave plate is a polished slice of a uniaxial crystal, in which the extraordinary axis lies within the plane of the optic. Light with polarization vector components oriented along the ordinary axis will undergo a phase delay relative to the perpendicular component oriented along the extraordinary axis. Change in polarization state will depend on the input state, and the physical orientation of the waveplate.
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| Retaining Thread | 1.063-20 | |||||
| Compatible Optic Diameter* | 25.4 mm 12.7 mm ( |
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| Special Features | 1 in. Mirror Mounts Compatibility | OpticsCage+™ Compatibility | Tip&Tilt Adjustments | Fine Adjustments | ||
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| Retaining Thread | 0.546-32 | 1.040-32 | 1.035-40 | 1.063-20 | 2.063-20 1.063-20 |
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| Compatible Optic Diameter* | 12.7 mm | 25.4 mm | 25.4 mm 12.7 mm ( |
50.8 mm 25.4 mm 12.7 mm ( |
50.8 mm ( 38.1 mm ( 25.4 mm ( 12.7 mm ( 6.35 mm ( |
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| Special Features | Compact | Stackable | A-Line™ Compatibility | Fine Adjustments | Quick Exchange | |
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| Retaining Thread | 1.040-32 | 1.063-20 | 1.563-20 | |
| Compatible Optic Diameters* | 25.4 mm | 25.4 mm 12.7 mm |
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*The adapter in parentheses is required for the optic size before it.
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