Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplates (Half-wave (HWP) & Quarter-wave (QWP) plates)

Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplates. Half and quarter waveplates rotate or convert polarization over wide wavelength range with low dependance.

Estimated Shipping Date: December 24, 2024 - January 7, 2025

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Variants
Description
Types
Construction

Predefined variants of product to view, select and fill parameters or add product directly to cart.
Face Size	Mount	Mount Size	Construction	Retardation	Wavelength (Range)	LIDT (10 ns, 10 Hz)	Surface Quality	Wavefront Distortion
Ø20 mm	Metal ring	Ø25.4 x 6 mm	Air-spaced	λ/4 (quarter-wave)	470-650 nm	>5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm	40-20 S-D	λ/6
Ø20 mm	Metal ring	Ø25.4 x 6 mm	Air-spaced	λ/2 (half-wave)	470-650 nm	>5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm	40-20 S-D	λ/6
Ø20 mm	Metal ring	Ø25.4 x 6 mm	Air-spaced	λ/4 (quarter-wave)	650-1100 nm	>5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm	40-20 S-D	λ/6
Ø20 mm	Metal ring	Ø25.4 x 6 mm	Air-spaced	λ/2 (half-wave)	650-1100 nm	>5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm	40-20 S-D	λ/6
Ø20 mm	Metal ring	Ø25.4 x 6 mm	Air-spaced	λ/4 (quarter-wave)	1000-1700 nm	>5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm	40-20 S-D	λ/6
Ø20 mm	Metal ring	Ø25.4 x 6 mm	Air-spaced	λ/2 (half-wave)	1000-1700 nm	>5 J/cm² @ 1064 nm	40-20 S-D	λ/6

What is an Achromatic Waveplate?

An achromatic waveplate is an optical component that alters the polarization state of light over a broad wavelength range without introducing chromatic aberrations. Alien Photonics achromatic (broadband) waveplates ensures consistent performance in applications involving multiple or varying wavelengths, unlike standard waveplates designed for a single wavelength (True-Zero order, (effective) zero order, low-order, etc. )

Which one to choose - achromatic or super aromatic waveplate?

Standard Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplates

Made from two waveplates of different materials (MgF₂ and Quartz). This construction allows to achieve near-constant retardation throughout whole designed wavelength range.

Super Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplates

These waveplates are constructed from several waveplates and materials. Sandwich-like construction minimizes chromatic dispersion and ensures even more constant retardation throughout whole designed wavelength range

Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplates: Half-wave (HWP) and Quarter-wave (QWP)

Based on what you are trying to achieve – rotate polarization or convert it (linear to circular or circular to linear) you need to choose the right waveplate. Alien Photonics achromatic waveplates comes in half and quarter wave, ensuring broadband wavelength optimization.

Half-wave (HWP, λ/2) Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplate

Half-Wave (HWP, λ/2) achromatic (broadband) waveplate is designed to introduce a half-wavelength phase shift between two orthogonal polarization components of light over a wide wavelength range, making the phase shift nearly independent of the light's wavelength. This is the main advantage against traditional Alien Photonics half-wave plates (low, zero or true-zero order) which are designed for single wavelength.

Quarter-wave (QWP, λ/4) Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplate

Achromatic (broadband) quarter-wave (QWP, λ/4) waveplate enables the conversion of linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light, or vice versa, across broad range of wavelengths.

Achromatic (Broadband) Waveplates construction – glued, bonded or air-spaced?

Glued (cemented) Achromatic Waveplate

Alien Photonics glued achromatic (broadband) waveplates consist of two or more birefringent crystals that are matched together using an optical adhesive or cement to ensure constant retardation over broad wavelength range. This type of achromatic waveplates is most economical, although it has some limitations (thermal, laser damage threshold).

Optical contact - bonded Achromatic Waveplate

Alien Photonics achromatic (broadband) waveplate can be constructed by optically contacting different materials together. Advantages of this construction is high optical quality, thermal stability. Optically contacted achromatic waveplates can withstand higher laser power.

Air-spaced Achromatic Waveplate

Achromatic (broadband) waveplates are constructed by carefully selecting waveplate materials (and thicknesses) along with the dimensions of air-gaps. This configuration allows half-wave and quarter wave achromatic (broadband) waveplates to be assembled.