Waveplates

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 vary 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(n_e-n_o)/λ, where is α phase difference; d is the thickness of waveplate; n_e, n_o are refractive indices of extraordinary and ordinary rays respectively; λ is the wavelength. At any specific wavelength, the phase difference is governed by the thickness of the retarder.

Casix waveplates, including octadic-wave (λ/8), quarter-wave (λ/4), half-wave (λ/2) and full-wave (λ) plates, are widely used in the synthesis and analysis of light in various states of polarization.

The wavelengths within the range of 240nm~2100nm are all available from Photonic Solutions.

Some standard configurations are available to purchase on our webshop

Low Order Waveplates

•     Thickness: 0.2-0.5mm

•     High Damage Threshold

•     Better Temperature Bandwidth

•     Low Cost

Air-spaced Zero Order Waveplates

•     Double Retardation Plates

•     High Damage Threshold

•     Wide Temperature Bandwidth

•     Broad Spectral Bandwidth

•     AR Coated and Mounted

Zero Order Waveplates

•     Double Retardation Plates

•     Wide Temperature Bandwidth

•     Broad Spectral Bandwidth

•     AR Coated

Cemented True Zero Order Waveplates

•     Wide Temperature Bandwidth

•     Broad Spectral Bandwidth

•     Wide Angle Bandwidth

•     Cemented by Epoxy

Single Plate True Zero Order Waveplates

•     Wide Temperature Bandwidth

•     Broad Spectral Bandwidth

•     Wide Angle Bandwidth

•     High Damage Threshold

Low Order Waveplates

Air-spaced Zero Order Waveplates

Zero Order Waveplates

True Zero Order Waveplates

Polarisation rotation
Quantum Technology
Optical isolation