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

Mounting
Size
Wavelength (nm)
Wavelength Range (nm)
Retardance
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Item #
Mount
Size
Wavelength
Retardance
Clear Aperture
Thickness
Lead Time
Quote
Large Aperture Waveplate
Mounted
Unmounted
Specify size
Custom
300 - 2500
Custom
>90%
Varies
Varies

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.

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
Spatial Uniformity

≤ 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

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WAVEPLATE OR RETARDER Operating Principles

Waveplate Selection Guide

request a custom quote or get technical answers

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