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True Zero Order Waveplate
A true zero-order wave plate is a single thin birefringent plate, which is so thin that it provides an optical phase delay of only 90° (λ/4) for a quarter-wave plate and 180° (λ/2) for a half-wave plate between the two polarizations. A true zero-order wave plate represents an ideal scenario for optical wave plates. The advantages of true zero-order waveplate include: high angular acceptance, low sensitivity to temperature variations, and a wide spectral bandwidth. Therefore, true zero-order wave plates are now widely used in laboratories and variuos optical instruments.
Features of True Zero-order Waveplate
- Low temperature sensitivity
- Wide spectral bandwidth
Comparing Multi-order, Zero-order & True zero-order waveplate
Multi-order waveplate, Zero order waveplate and True zero order waveplate are interchangeable for most of applications. For some critical applications, Zero order waveplate and True zero order waveplate should be considered. The advantages of zero-order waveplate are an increased bandwidth and a lower sensitivity to temperature changes.
However, the normal two plates design Zero order waveplate has a relatively larger thickness which reduces the field angle. For the applications where a large field angle is necessary, such as imaging systems, true zero order waveplate gives the solution. These true zero order waveplates are made of a very thin plate or cemented with a BK7 substrate, which ensures the best possible field angle, temperature and wavelength performance.
The following table gives the comparison of low order waveplate, zero order waveplate and true zero order waveplate(based on 1/2 @1064nm with 1/100 retardation variation):
| Type of Waveplate | Multi-Order | Zero Order | True Zero Order |
| Temperature Sensitivity (nm/°C) | 0.05 | 0.006 | 0.006 |
| Spectral Bandwidth (nm) | 6.1 | 42.6 | 42.6 |
| Acceptance Angle (deg.) | 8 | 4 | 23 |
Specifications of true zero order waveplate
Dimension Tolerance:
+0.0/-0.1mmParallelism:
<1 arc secondSurface Quality:
20-10Wavefront Distortion:
λ/8@633nmRetardation Variation:
<λ/300 waveClear Aperture:
90% centralCoating:
AR-coating R<0.1%Damage Threshold:
>500 MW/cm² 1 ns 1064 nmMount:
OptionalWavelength:
Custom design available.Common used wavelengths: 355nm, 400n, 515nm, 532nm, 633nm, 670nm, 700nm, 780nm, 795nm, 810nm, 830nm, 852nm, 895nm, 920nm, 980nm, 1030nm, 1047nm, 1064nm, 1310nm, 1342nm, 1480nm, 1550nm, 1590nm, 1800nm and more.
OptoCity offer the highest quality true zero-order quarter waveplates and half waveplates at very competitive price. Standard true zero-order waveplates are available in stock. OEM micro size waveplates, custom design including optical axis mark are available upon request.