Multiple-Order Quartz Half-Wave Waveplates

Multiple-order half-wave plates are an economical tool for controlling the polarization state of lasers or other narrowband light sources. These half-wave waveplates are used to rotate the polarization direction.

Less costly than zero-order wave plates
Quartz uniaxial crystal material
Laser line antireflection V-coated for R <0.25% per surface
Major laser wavelengths from 248–1550 nm

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Description	Compatibility	Avail.	Price
05RP12-02 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 266 nm	UNIVERSAL		$267
05RP12-08 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 354.7 nm	UNIVERSAL		$267
05RP12-10 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 441.6 nm	UNIVERSAL	Discontinued
05RP12-12 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 488 nm	UNIVERSAL		$267
05RP12-16 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 532 nm	UNIVERSAL		$267
05RP12-24 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 632.8 nm	UNIVERSAL		$267
05RP12-28 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 780 nm	UNIVERSAL		$267
05RP12-34 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 1064 nm	UNIVERSAL		$267
05RP12-41 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 413 nm	UNIVERSAL		$267
05RP22-05 Quartz Multiple-Order Half-Wave PlatesHalf Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 532 & 1064 nm	UNIVERSAL		$305

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Mounting Options

Manual Rotation Mounts


Models	UPA-RM1A	RM25A	RM25B	OC1-PR	M1-1PR GM-1RA	(M-) RS65
Retaining Thread	1.063-20
Compatible Optic Diameter*	25.4 mm 12.7 mm (PRA-05)
Special Features	1 in. Mirror Mounts Compatibility		OpticsCage+™ Compatibility		Tip&Tilt Adjustments	Fine Adjustments


Models	(M-) MT-RS	9401 (-M)	(M-) LH-1PR	(M-) 481-A (M-) 481-A-S	RSP-2T RSP-1T	LM2-R LM1-R
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)	50.8 mm 25.4 mm 12.7 mm (PRA-05)	50.8 mm (LH2-2R) 38.1 mm (LH2-1.5R) 25.4 mm (LH1-1R) 12.7 mm (LH1-0.5R) 6.35 mm (LH1-0.25R)
Special Features	Compact	Stackable	A-Line™ Compatibility	Fine Adjustments		Quick Exchange

Motorized Rotation Mounts


Models	8410	(CONEX-) AG-PR100 (V6)	SR50PP PR50PP (CONEX-) SR50CC (CONEX-) PR50CC	8401 (-M)
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.

Features

Half Waveplates

Our multiple-order wave plates are crystal quartz optics designed to differentially retard the phase of a polarized beam. With the proper phase shift, the half waveplate can rotate the direction of polarization. For half waveplates, the amount of polarization rotation is twice the amount of waveplate rotation. We offer dual wavelength multiple-order wave plates in addition to our standard single wavelength versions.

Wavelength Sensitivity

A wave plate of practical thickness produces a multiple of λ/4 or λ/2 retardation (e.g., 15 1/2 λ for a ~1mm thick optic). Such a plate will behave as expected at the design wavelength. However, as the optical wavelength is changed, the retardation will change much more rapidly than it would for a true zero-order wave plate. The higher the multiple (or order), the higher the retardance error a multiple-order waveplate will exhibit as the wavelength changes. For more information, please see our Introduction to Waveplates tutorial.

Temperature Sensitivity

Wave plates are sensitive to temperature changes. A typical multiple-order wave plate has a temperature coefficient of 0.0015λ/°C, compared to 0.0001λ/°C for a zero-order wave plate, so tighter temperature control will be required.

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.