Precision Achromatic Waveplate

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$825.00$3,025.00

Key Features

  • Broad spectral range
  • Superior field of view
  • Thermally Stable
  • Custom Wavelengths Available

Meadowlark Optics Precision Achromatic Retarders are designed to provide a nearly constant retardance over a broad wavelength region. Standard quarter- and half-wave devices are available for common wavelength regions in the visible and near-infrared.​

Our Precision Achromatic Retarders consist of carefully aligned birefringent polymer sheets laminated between precision polished, optically flat N-BK7 windows. Assembly is quite similar to the assembly of our Precision Retarders.​

​Optical transmittance varies slightly from the Precision Retarder because several polymer layers are used in each Achromatic Retarder. We provide retardance accurate to λ/100 for all wavelengths in the operating range. Achromatic retarders are an excellent choice for applications requiring broad wavelength use.​

Common Specifications

Retarder Material: Birefringent Polymer
Substrate Material: N-BK7
Retardance Accuracy: ≤ λ/100
Transmitted Wavefront Distortion: ≤ λ/4
Surface Quality: 40 – 20 scratch-dig
Beam Deviation: ≤ 1 arc-min

Operating Temperature Range: 20 ˚C to 50 ˚C 
Laser Damage Threshold:
     500 W/cm², CW
     600 mJ/cm², 20 ns, visible
     4 J/cm², 20 ns, 1064 nm

Mounting
Size
Wavelength (nm)
Wavelength Range (nm)
Retardance
10 per page
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Item #
Mount
Size
Wavelength
Retardance
Clear Aperture
Thickness
Lead Time
Price
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AH-050-0545
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
545
485-630
λ/2
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.130 in. (3.30 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AH-050-0630
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
630
555-700
λ/2
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.130 in. (3.30 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AH-050-0720
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
720
630-835
λ/2
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.130 in. (3.30 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AH-050-0840
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
840
735-985
λ/2
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.130 in. (3.30 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AH-050-1060
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
1060
920-1240
λ/2
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.130 in. (3.30 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AH-050-1400
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
1400
1200-1650
λ/2
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.130 in. (3.30 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AH-050-λ
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
Specify λ 400-1800 in Checkout
Design Dependent
λ/2
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.130 in. (3.30 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AQ-050-0545
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
545
485-630
λ/4
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.140 in. (3.56 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AQ-050-0630
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
630
555-700
λ/4
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.140 in. (3.56 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
AQ-050-0720
Unmounted
0.500 in. (12.70 mm)
720
630-835
λ/4
0.400 in. (10.1 mm)
0.140 in. (3.56 mm)
1 - 2 Days
$825.00
129

Precision Achromatic Waveplate

Optical transmittance varies slightly from the Precision Retarder (Waveplate) because several polymer layers are used in each Achromatic Retarder. We provide retardance accurate to λ/100 for all wavelengths in the operating range. Achromatic retarders are an excellent choice for applications requiring broad wavelength use.

SPECIFICATIONS

Retarder Material

Birefringent Polymer

Substrate Material

N-BK7

Standard Wavelengths

545 nm
630 nm
720 nm
840 nm
1060 nm
1400 nm

(485 – 630 nm operating range)
(555 – 730 nm operating range)
(630 – 835 nm operating range)
(735 – 985 nm operating range)
(920 – 1240 nm operating range)
(1200 – 1650 nm operating range)

Custom Wavelengths

400 – 1800 nm (please specify)

Retardance Accuracy

≤ λ/100

Transmitted Wavefront Distortion

≤ λ/4

Surface Quality

40 – 20

scratch-dig

Beam Deviation

≤ 1 arc-min

Temperature Range

– 20 ˚C to + 50 ˚C (Operating)

Laser Damage Threshold

500 W/cm², CW
600 mJ/cm², 20 ns, visible
4 J/cm², 20 ns, 1064 nm

Ordering Information – Contact Us or Buy Online

ORDERING INFORMATION

Mounted

Diameter
± 0.005 in.
(± 0.13 mm)

Clear Aperture in. (mm)

Thickness
± 0.020 in.
(± 0.51 mm)

 λ/4
Part #

λ/2
Part #

1.00 (25.40)

0.40 (10.20)

0.25 (6.35)

AQM – 050 – λ

AHM – 050 – λ

1.00 (25.40)

0.70 (17.80)

0.35 (8.90)

AQM – 100 – λ

AHM – 100 – λ

2.00 (50.80)

1.20 (30.50)

0.50 (12.70)

AQM – 200 – λ

AHM – 200 – λ

Unmounted

Diameter
+ 0 / – 0.010 in.
(+ 0 / – 0.25mm)

Clear Aperture
in. (mm)

Thickness
± 0.020 in.
(± 0.51 mm)

 λ/4
Part #

λ/2
Part #

0.50 (12.70)

0.40 (10.20)

0.14 (3.60)

AQ – 050 – λ

AH – 050 – λ

1.00 (25.40)

0.80 (20.30)

0.28 (7.10)

AQ – 100 – λ

AH – 100 – λ

2.00 (50.80)

1.60 (40.60)

0.50 (12.70)

AQ – 200 – λ

AH – 200 – λ

Custom sizes 400 nm to 1800 nm and custom retardances are available. Please contact your sales engineer for assistance. 

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WAVEPLATE OR RETARDER Operating Principles

Waveplate Selection Guide

request a custom quote or get technical answers

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