Waveplates
From crystal growth, crystal orientation, and cutting, to waveplate fabrication and coating, we have the most control over the fabrication of waveplates in the market.
For all wavelength ranges, we orient, cut, and polish the optical crystals for waveplate production. Tight internal controls enable better retardation tolerances within and between production runs. Polishing, coating, assembly, and metrology complete the manufacturing process.
Waveplates transmit light and modify its polarization state without attenuating, deviating, or displacing the beam. They do this by delaying one component of polarization with respect to its orthogonal component.
We design and manufacture our waveplates, by hand, in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Contact us to see how we can create waveplates for you.
Waveplate options
Zero-order and achromatic waveplates
Compound zero-order (also known as net-zero order) and achromatic waveplates are often optically contacted to reduce reflection losses at the surfaces. Air-spacing is recommended for high-energy applications. Specialty waveplate designs such as off-axis or true-zero order waveplates are produced to custom specifications.
Waveplates from the UV to the NIR
From crystal orientation to assembled product, we produce cutting-edge waveplates for a varied range of applications and customers.
- Crystal quartz – standard material for UV-NIR waveplate applications
- LiNbO₃ – infrequently used in 1.5 µm applications and optical frequency shifters
- MgF₂ – typically used in combination with crystal quartz for achromatic waveplates
- Mica – for ophthalmology applications
- Sapphire – for defense applications in extreme environmental conditions
- YVO₄ – waveplates for the 400 nm to 5 µm ranges
Waveplates for the IR, higher energies, or larger formats
As the world's only entirely vertically integrated CdS, CdSe, KDP and KD*P waveplate producer, we deliver accurate performance for demanding applications.
Our control over crystal growth benefits customers who need larger sizes, high laser damage threshold performance, or more accurate retardation tolerances.
UV, visible and NIR specifications
| Multiple order, net-zero, dual | Achromatic | High Energy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substrate material | Crystal quartz | Crystal quartz and MgF₂ | KDP or KD*P |
| Sizes | 5–150 mm | 5–50 mm | 5–430 mm |
| High surface quality | Scratch-dig 10-5 | Scratch-dig 40-20 typical | Scratch-dig 10-5 for substrates less than 20 mm in diameter |
| Scratch-dig 20-10 for substrates less than 430 mm in diameter | |||
| Retardation tolerance | λ/500 at 23°C at 633 nm | λ/72 at 23°C | |
| Operating conditions | 10 J/cm², 20 ns pulse, 20 Hz | 10 J/cm2, 10 ns pulse at 1064 nm | |
| Transmission | 99.9% | 99% | 99% |
| Transmitted wavefront | λ/10 at 633 nm | λ/10 at 633 nm | λ/6 at 633 nm |
| Parallelism | <0.5 arc second | <0.5 arc second | <15 arc second |
| Country of manufacture | USA / UK | USA / UK | USA / UK |
Infrared specifications
| IR multiple order | IR net zero order | Achromatic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single wavelength 3–12 µm | Narrow range 3–12 µm | 3–5 µm, 5–8 µm, or 8–12 μm | |
| Substrate material | CdS or CdSe | CdS/CdS or CdSe/CdSe | CdS/CdSe |
| Sizes | 4–29 mm | 4–29 mm | 4–29 mm |
| Retardation tolerance | ±5° at design wavelength | ±5° at design wavelength | ±10° |
| Transmission | >97% at design wavelength | >90% at center wavelength | >90% at center wavelength |
| Country of manufacture | USA / UK | USA / UK | USA / UK |
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Coatings
From high transmission broadband anti-reflection coatings to V-coats for high energy applications, our extensive coating capabilities for precision optical components deliver performance across the spectrum from the UV to the FIR. Take a closer look at our optical coatings service.
Metrology
We have made a significant investment in metrology equipment to ensure that our customers receive quality, high-performing precision optical components. More details on our metrology capabilities can be found on our metrology page.
Environmental testing
Environmental testing of components and coatings is critical for the assurance of performance in rugged conditions. G&H environmental testing capabilities include MIL-C-675C, MIL-C-48497A, MIL-E-12397, and MIL-M-13508C for endurance against abrasion, adhesion, humidity, temperature, and environmental conditions.
Waveplate Questionnaire
So we can better understand your requirements, please complete the waveplate questionnaire form below.