True Zero Order (TZO) Waveplates (Half-wave (HWP) & Quarter-wave (QWP) plates)
True Zero Order (TZO) Waveplates. Half and quarter single-plate waveplates rotate or convert polarization. High temperature stability. Low wavelength and angle sensitivity.
Estimated Shipping Date: September 24, 2024 - October 8, 2024
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- Types
- Construction
True Zero Order Waveplates: Half-wave (HWP) and Quarter-wave (QWP)
Half-wave (HWP, λ/2) True Zero Order (TZO) Waveplate
True zero order half-wave plates (TZO HWP) are designed for maximal precision and accuracy in rotating the polarization of light. Extremely small thickness ensures maximum temperature stability and minimal wavelength sensitivity, making them ideal for applications demanding precise polarization control.
Quarter-wave (QWP, λ/4) True Zero Order (TZO) Waveplate
True zero order quarter-wave Plates (TZO QWP) purpose is to provide accurate conversion between linear and circular polarization at a specific wavelength. Alien Photonics thin TZO QWP design significantly enhances temperature and angular tolerance and guarantees consistent performance across a range of conditions, crucial for high-precision optical tasks.
True Zero Order (TZO) Waveplates construction – single, glued or bonded?
Alien Photonics true zero-order waveplates can be constructed in different ways. The main approaches being single-plate, glued and optically contacted (bonded) designs. Each method has its advantages and specific applications:
| Feature | Single Plate | Glued | Bonded (Optically Contacted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget-friendlyness | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Ease of handling | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Thermal Stability | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| LIDT** | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Retardation Tolerance | 5 | 4 | 5 |
Single True Zero Order (TZO) Waveplate
Alien Photonics single true zero-order waveplate, made from an ultra-thin slice of birefringent material, offers the benefit of minimal alteration to the beam path due to its thinness. This reduces dispersion effects, increases LIDT and overall precision. However, its significant downside is its fragility, which increases the risk of damage during handling and installation, along with a higher susceptibility to environmental changes. For this reason, when the thickness is verry small, the true-zero design is too difficult to produce. Alien Photonics suggest to consider first order waveplate or effective zero order waveplate as an alternative.
Glued True Zero Order (TZO) Waveplate
Glued true zero-order waveplates, where a thin birefringent plate is affixed to glass substrates (UVFS or N-BK7, usually) with an adhesive, provide enhanced durability and ease of handling compared to single plate designs. The presence of adhesive, however, can introduce optical absorption and thermal degradation issues, potentially limiting their use in high-power laser applications.
Optically contacted (bonded) True Zero Order (TZO) Waveplate
Bonded or optically contacted true zero-order waveplates feature a thin birefringent plate directly bonded to supporting substrates (UVFS or N-BK7) without adhesives, offering superior mechanical stability and resistance to thermal effects. This makes them ideal for high-power applications. The complexity and cost of the bonding process, however, can be a drawback, because precise manufacturing techniques are needed to avoid air gaps or misalignment.