Achromatic Quartz-MgF2 Zero-Order Wave Plates provide a much higher degree of retardation accuracy than regular zero-order quartz wave plates. Achromatic Quartz-MgF2 Wave Plates operate over a broad wavelength range, compared to the single wavelength performance of zero-order quartz wave plates.
Newport’s Achromatic Quartz-MgF2 Zero-Order Wave Plates consist of two different birefringent crystals —crystalline quartz and magnesium fluoride (MgF2) — each with a highly efficient broadband antireflection coating, in an air-spaced design. This construction ensures excellent transmitted wavefront quality, while minimizing beam deviation and surface reflection losses. The assembly is mounted in a black anodized aluminum housing for protection and ease of mounting, with the retarder fast axis marked for alignment reference.
Because of the air-space design, our Achromatic Quartz-MgF2 Wave Plates have a higher damage threshold than achromatic polymer film wave plates. Achromatic Quartz-MgF2 Wave Plates are also less expensive than achromatic polymer film wave plates.
Our Achromatic Wave Plates are available in λ/4 or λ/2 retardation over three wavelength ranges throughout the visible and near infrared. The standard 25.4 mm outer diameter is convenient for mounting into Newport rotary mounts.
For a tutorial on wave plates, view Polarization
