Specifications

  • Retardation
    λ/4
  • Retardation Accuracy
    ±λ/300
  • Material
    Quartz
  • Construction
    Two Air-Spaced Quartz Plates
  • Wavefront Distortion
    ≤λ/10 at 632.8 nm over the full aperture
  • Damage Threshold
    2 MW/cm2
  • Pulse Damage Threshold
    2 J/cm2 with 10 nsec pulses, typical
  • Reflectivity per Surface
    <0.25%
  • Antireflection Coating
    Laser Line V-coating
  • Surface Quality
    10-5 scratch-dig
  • Wedge
    <1 arc sec
  • Thickness
    05RP04: 6.35 mm
    10RP04: 7.92 mm
  • Thickness Tolerance
    +0/-0.25 mm
  • Cleaning
    See How to Clean Optics

Features

Zero-Order Quarter-Wave Plate Construction

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.

Convert Plane-polarized Light to Circularly Polarized

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.

Retardation is Insensitive to Wavelength

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.

Retardation is Sensitive to Incidence Angle

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 is Insensitive to Temperature

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.

Designed for High Power Applications

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.

How Quartz Waveplates Work

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.

Manual Rotation Mounts

POLAR-ROT-MOUNT-FEAT OM-rm25_pol_rot_mnt-S RM25B-OpticsCage-Plus OC1-INTF tip-tilt-family NW_RS4065_POST
Models UPA-RM1A

Model: UPA-RM1A

Rotation Mount, Polarizer, 1 inch, For U100-A Mount

$74.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Mirror Mount Optic Rotation Adapter
RM25A

Model: RM25A

Optic Rotation Mount, 25.4 mm, 2° Graduations

$116.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Manual Optic Rotation Mounts
RM25B

Model: RM25B

Optic Rotation Mount, 25.4 mm, 2° Graduations, OpticsCage+

$116.00
In Stock
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Manual Optic Rotation Mounts
OC1-PR

Model: OC1-PR

Polarizer Rotator, Insertable, 1 in. Dia. NP1 Thd., 1 in. Optics Cage Plus

$115.00
In Stock
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Optics Cage Plus Adjustable Mounts
M1-1PR

Model: M1-1PR

Optic Rotation Mount, Kinematic Tip-Tilt, 25.4 mm, 100 TPI

$466.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Tip-Tilt Optic Rotation Mounts

GM-1RA

Model: GM-1RA

Optic Rotation Mount, Gimbal Tip-Tilt, 25.4 mm, 100 TPI

$582.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Tip-Tilt Optic Rotation Mounts
(M-

Model: M-RS65

Manual Rotation Stage, Aperture, 65 mm, 10° Fine, M3 and M6

$582.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
RS Low-Profile Rotation Stages
) RS65

Model: RS65

Manual Rotation Stage, Aperture , 2.65 in. Diameter, 10° Fine, 6-32 and 1/4-20

$582.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
RS Low-Profile Rotation Stages
Retaining Thread 1.063-20
Compatible Optic Diameter* 25.4 mm
12.7 mm (PRA-05

Model: PRA-05

Polarizer Adaptor, 12.7 mm Optics to 1.063-20 Threaded Mounts

$42.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
High Performance Optic Rotation Mounts
)
Special Features 1 in. Mirror Mounts Compatibility OpticsCage+™ Compatibility Tip&Tilt Adjustments Fine Adjustments
MT-multi-axis 9401 LH-FIBER-VERT NW_481_POST NW_RSPIT NW_LHIR_SNAP
Models (M-

Model: M-MT-RS

Optic Rotation Mount, 0.5 in., 5° Graduations, M4

$237.00
In Stock
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Compact Optic Rotation Mounts
) MT-RS

Model: MT-RS

Optic Rotation Mount, 0.5 in., 5° Graduations, 8-32

$237.00
In Stock
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Compact Optic Rotation Mounts
9401

Model: 9401

Rotary Mount, 1 inch Waveplates or Polarizers, 8-32 Thread

$185.00
In Stock
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In-Line Stackable Optic Rotation Mounts
(-M

Model: 9401-M

Rotary Mount, 1 inch Waveplates or Polarizers, M4 Thread

$185.00
In Stock
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In-Line Stackable Optic Rotation Mounts
)		 (M-

Model: M-LH-1PR

Polarizer Rotation Mount, A-LINE, 25.4 mm Diameter, M4 Thread

$158.00
In Stock
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A-Line Adjustable Optic Mounts
) LH-1PR

Model: LH-1PR

Polarizer Rotation Mount, 25.4 mm, 8-32 Thread, A-LINE

$158.00
In Stock
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A-Line Adjustable Optic Mounts
(M-

Model: M-481-A

Rotation Stage, 360° Coarse, 5° Fine, Includes Micrometer, M4 and M6

$455.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
481 High-Performance Rotation Stages
) 481-A

Model: 481-A

Rotation Stage, 360° Coarse, 5° Fine, Micrometer, 8-32 and 1/4-20

$455.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
481 High-Performance Rotation Stages

(M-

Model: M-481-A-S

Rotation Stage, 360° Coarse, 5° Fine, Includes Adjustment Screw, M4 and M6

$441.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
481 High-Performance Rotation Stages
) 481-A-S

Model: 481-A-S

Rotation Stage, 360° Coarse, 5° Fine, Adjustment Screw, 8-32 and 1/4-20

$441.00
In Stock
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481 High-Performance Rotation Stages
RSP-2T

Model: RSP-2T

Optic Rotation Mount, 50.8 mm, Fine Adjust Knob, 8-32 and M4

$434.00
In Stock
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High Performance Optic Rotation Mounts

RSP-1T

Model: RSP-1T

Optic Rotation Mount, 25.4 mm, Fine Adjust Knob, 8-32 and M4

$291.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
High Performance Optic Rotation Mounts
LM2-R

Model: LM2-R

Optic Cell Rotation Mount, 2° Graduations, For LH2 Optic Cells

$74.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Nested Optic Rotation Mounts

LM1-R

Model: LM1-R

Optic Cell Rotation Mount, 2° Graduations, For LH1 Optic Cells

$56.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Nested Optic Rotation Mounts
Retaining Thread 0.546-32 1.040-32 1.035-40 1.063-20 2.063-20
1.063-20		 –
Compatible Optic Diameter* 12.7 mm 25.4 mm 25.4 mm
12.7 mm (PRA-05

Model: PRA-05

Polarizer Adaptor, 12.7 mm Optics to 1.063-20 Threaded Mounts

$42.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
High Performance Optic Rotation Mounts
)		 50.8 mm
25.4 mm
12.7 mm (PRA-05

Model: PRA-05

Polarizer Adaptor, 12.7 mm Optics to 1.063-20 Threaded Mounts

$42.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
High Performance Optic Rotation Mounts
)		 50.8 mm (LH2-2R

Model: LH2-2R

Optic Holder Cell, 2.0 in. Diameter Optics, Requires LM2-R Mount

$42.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Nested Optic Rotation Mounts
)
38.1 mm (LH2-1.5R

Model: LH2-1.5R

Optic Holder Cell, 1.5 in. Diameter Optics, Requires LM2-R Mount

$49.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Nested Optic Rotation Mounts
)
25.4 mm (LH1-1R

Model: LH1-1R

Optic Holder Cell, 1.0 in. Diameter Optics, Requires LM1-R Mount

$30.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Nested Optic Rotation Mounts
)
12.7 mm (LH1-0.5R

Model: LH1-0.5R

Optic Holder Cell, 0.5 in. Diameter Optics, Requires LM1-R Mount

$30.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Nested Optic Rotation Mounts
)
6.35 mm (LH1-0.25R

Model: LH1-0.25R

Optic Holder Cell, 0.25 in. Diameter Optics, Requires LM1-R Mount

$36.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Nested Optic Rotation Mounts
)
Special Features Compact Stackable A-Line™ Compatibility Fine Adjustments Quick Exchange

Motorized Rotation Mounts

8410 MT-multi-axis MC-SR50-S 8401
Models 8410

Model: 8410

Picomotor Rotation Mount, Closed-Loop, 1.0 in. Diameter Components

$4,507.00
Contact Us
Product Series Overview
Closed-Loop Picomotor Rotation Mount
(CONEX-

Model: CONEX-AG-PR100P

Piezo Motor Rotation Stage, 1 in., Direct Encoder, Includes Controller

$2,572.00
In Stock
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Agilis™ Piezo Rotation Stage With CONEX™ Controller
) AG-PR100

Model: AG-PR100

Piezo Rotation Stage, 1 inch, Agilis™

$991.00
In Stock
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Agilis™ Series Piezo Rotation Mount
(V6

Model: AG-PR100V6

Motorized Rotation Stage, Piezo, 1.0 in., Vacuum Compatible, Agilis™

$1,491.00
In Stock
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Agilis™ Series Piezo Rotation Mount
)		 SR50PP

Model: SR50PP

Motorized Rotation Stage, Compact, 360°, Micro Step Drive Stepper, SR Series

$3,156.00
In Stock
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Low Profile Stepper Motor Rotation Stages

PR50PP

Model: PR50PP

Motorized Rotation Stage, Compact, 360°, Micro Step Drive Stepper

$2,171.00
In Stock
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Low Profile Stepper Motor Rotation Stages

(CONEX-

Model: CONEX-SR50CC

Motorized Rotation Stage, SR50CC Integrated with CONEX-CC Controller

$4,193.00
In Stock
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Low Profile Rotation Stage With CONEX™ Controller
) SR50CC

Model: SR50CC

Motorized Rotation Stage, Compact, 360°, 4°/s, DC Servo Motor

$3,027.00
In Stock
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Low Profile DC Motor Rotation Stages

(CONEX-

Model: CONEX-PR50CC

Motorized Rotation Stage, PR50CC, Integrated with CONEX-CC Controller

$3,196.00
In Stock
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Low Profile Rotation Stage With CONEX™ Controller
) PR50CC

Model: PR50CC

Motorized Rotation Stage, Compact, 360°, 20°/s, DC Servo Motor

$2,227.00
In Stock
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Low Profile DC Motor Rotation Stages
8401

Model: 8401

Picomotor Rotation Mount, Stainless Steel, 1 & 0.5 in. Adapters, 8-32

$1,825.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Picomotor Piezo Rotation Mount
(-M

Model: 8401-M

Picomotor Rotation Mount, Stainless Steel, 1 & 0.5 in. Adapters, M4

$1,845.00
In Stock
Product Series Overview
Picomotor Piezo Rotation Mount
)
Retaining Thread 1.040-32 1.063-20 1.563-20
Compatible Optic Diameters* 25.4 mm 25.4 mm
12.7 mm

*The adapter in parentheses is required for the optic size before it.

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