Waveplate Principles
Download Principles Retarders are used in applications where control or
Large Aperture Waveplate
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Available Only by Quote
Key Features
- Outer diameter up to 6 inches
- Clear aperture > 90%
- Custom size, retardance and wavelength range available
- Spatial uniformity of less than 2% across clear aperture
- Various materials available: (polymer, quartz, sapphire, magnesium fluoride and liquid crystal)
Large Aperture retarders are available in a variety of different sizes and shapes with custom retardances at specific wavelengths. Combinations of different materials allow custom achromatic, athermal, or wide-angle designs.
For many astronomical, aerospace, and defense projects, large aperture retarders are required. Meadowlark Optics has over thirty-five years of retarder manufacturing expertise and is able to manufacture from a wide variety of materials to facilitate high- or low-power applications.Specifications
Retarder (Birefringent) Material Options:
Crystalline Quartz
Magnesium Fluoride
Sapphire
Liquid Crystal
Wavelength: 300 – 2500 nm (please specify)
Retardances: 0 to 100s of λ
Retardance Accuracy –
Center: ≤ λ/100 to ≤ λ/350
Spatial Uniformity: ≤ λ/10 to ≤ λ/100
TWD: ≤ λ to ≤ λ/5 (P-V @ 633); λ/4 to λ/20 (RMS @ 633)]
Surface Quality: 40 – 20 scratch-dig to 80 – 50 scratch-dig
Outside Dimensions: Up to 150 mm
Large Aperture Waveplate
Waveplates up to 150 mm diameter are available. Some materials allow retarders to be used over different wavelengths from the ultraviolet, through the visible and into the near infrared.
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Meadowlark Optics uses proprietary methods to ensure the best spatial uniformity of its polymer and crystalline retarders. These retarders have a spatial uniformity of better than two percent across the clear aperture and with the correct substrates, can have a wavefront distortion that is on par with Meadowlark Optics’ Precision Retarders.
Meadowlark Optic’s liquid crystal variable retarders can also be built with large clear apertures. Please contact your Meadowlark Optics Sales Engineer for assistance and a custom quote.
Specifications
Retarder (Birefringent) Material Options | Polymer Crystalline Quartz Magnesium Fluoride Sapphire Liquid Crystal† |
Wavelength | 300 – 2500 nm (please specify) |
Retardances | 0 to 100s of λ |
Retardance Accuracy | |
Center | ≤ λ/100 to ≤ λ/350 ≤ λ/10 to ≤ λ/100 |
Transmitted Wavefront Distortion | ≤ λ to ≤ λ/5 (P-V @ 633 nm) λ/4 to λ/20 (RMS @ 633 nm) |
Surface Quality | 40 – 20 scratch-dig to 80 – 50 scratch-dig |
Outside Dimensions | Up to 150 mm |
Ordering Information – Contact Us for a Quote
Graphs & Figures
Basic Polarization Techniques and Devices
Meadowlark Optics Basic Polarization Techniques and Devices © 2005 Meadowlark
