Zero-order wave plates are temperature insensitive phase retarders for moderate bandwidth applications. These zero-order wave plates are constructed of two airspaced quartz waveplates, enabling use with high-power diode lasers or tunable lasers.
Zero-order wave plates offer several distinct advantages over multiple order wave plates. The primary benefit is a moderate insensitivity to wavelength change, making them ideal for laser diode or tunable laser applications. For example, a zero-order wave plate designed for 780 nm will provide useful retardance from 765–795 nm. Retardation in zero-order wave plates is insensitive to temperature since thermal changes between the two quartz plates tend to cancel out. A typical zero-order wave plate has a temperature coefficient of 0.0001 λ/°C compared to 0.0015 λ/°C for a multiple-order wave plate, providing less change in retardation over an extended temperature range.
Zero-order wave plates are temperature insensitive phase retarders for moderate bandwidth applications. These zero-order wave plates are constructed of two quartz plates, air-spaced to allow for use with high-power lasers. This assembly is held in a black anodized aluminum housing to protect the optic and permit convenient handling and mounting.
By combining two wave plates whose retardations differ by exactly λ/4 or λ/2, a true λ/4 or λ/2 wave plate results. The fast axis of one plate is aligned with the slow axis of the other, so that the net retardation is the difference of the two retardations. We offer zero-order wave plates for major laser wavelengths from 248–1550 nm. All wave plates are antireflection coated to maximize transmission at the designed wavelength.