Waveplate Principles
Download Principles Retarders are used in applications where control or
Key Features
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.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
Item # | Mount | Size | Wavelength | Retardance | Clear Aperture | Thickness | Lead Time | Price | Add to cart |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AHM-050-1400 | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | 1400 1200-1650 | λ/2 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
AHM-050-λ | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | Specify λ 400-1800 in Checkout Design Dependent | λ/2 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
AQM-050-0545 | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | 545 485-630 | λ/4 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
AQM-050-0630 | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | 630 555-700 | λ/4 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
AQM-050-0720 | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | 720 630-835 | λ/4 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
AQM-050-0840 | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | 840 735-985 | λ/4 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
AQM-050-1060 | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | 1060 920-1240 | λ/4 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
AQM-050-1400 | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | 1400 1200-1650 | λ/4 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
AQM-050-λ | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | Specify λ 400-1800 in Checkout Design Dependent | λ/4 | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 | |
ACM-050-λ | Mounted | 0.500 in. (12.70 mm) | Specify λ 400-1800 in Checkout Design Dependent | Custom | 0.400 in. (10.1 mm) | 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) | 1 - 2 Days | $919.00 |
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 | (485 – 630 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 |
ORDERING INFORMATION | ||||
Mounted | ||||
Diameter | Clear Aperture in. (mm) | Thickness | λ/4 | λ/2 |
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 | Clear Aperture | Thickness | λ/4 | λ/2 |
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.
Download Principles Retarders are used in applications where control or
Meadowlark Optics Basic Polarization Techniques and Devices © 2005 Meadowlark