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Polymer True Zero Order Quarter Waveplates

  • Stable retardance over a wide range of AOIs
  • Less sensitiveness to wavelength variations than crystal waveplates
  • Fabricated using Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) cemented between two quartz windows
  • Introducing a quarter wavelength phase shift, excellent for conversion between circular and linear polarization
  • High optical transmissions, retardance accuracy ±λ/100
  • Available as in stocked (wavelengths 405nm to 1550nm, diameters 1/2", 1", 2") and custom versions 
Inquire for custom product  
Code Design Wavelength Retardation Diameter Aperture Coating Mount Unit Price Delivery Cart
20908-001 405nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-002 442nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-003 488nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 3 days
20908-004 520nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 3 days
20908-005 532nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 3 days
20908-006 633nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 3 days
20908-007 729nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-008 780nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 3 days
20908-009 795nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-010 800nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 3 days
20908-011 808nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-012 850nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-013 1030nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-014 1053nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-015 1064nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-016 1310nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 1050-1700nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-017 1550nm λ/4 12.7mm 10mm 1050-1700nm AR Coating SM05 Threaded Mount $145.58 2 Weeks
20908-018 405nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 350-700nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-019 442nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 350-700nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-020 520nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 350-700nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-021 532nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 350-700nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-022 633nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 350-700nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-023 729nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-024 780nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-025 795nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-026 800nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-027 808nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 2 Weeks
20908-028 850nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-029 1030nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-030 1053nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 2 Weeks
20908-031 1064nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 650-1100nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 2 Weeks
20908-032 1310nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 1050-1700nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 3 days
20908-033 1550nm λ/4 25.4mm 20mm 1050-1700nm AR Coating Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring $178.78 2 Weeks
20908-034 405nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 3 days
20908-035 442nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-036 488nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-037 520nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 3 days
20908-038 532nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-039 633nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 350-700nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-040 729nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-041 780nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 3 days
20908-042 795nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-043 800nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-044 808nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-045 850nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-046 1030nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-047 1053nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-048 1064nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 650-1100nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks
20908-049 1310nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 1050-1700nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 3 days
20908-050 1550nm λ/4 50.8mm 45mm 1050-1700nm AR Coating SM2 Threaded Mount $257.78 2 Weeks

Hangzhou Shalom EO’s Polymer True Zero Order Waveplates consist of one birefringent Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) thin film sandwiched between two UV-fused silica protective windows. All polymer wave plates are installed inside standard black anodized mounts or SM series threaded housing, and the end face of the mounts and the side of the SM threaded housings are laser marked to indicate the fast axis direction of the wave plate. Our LCP waveplates are great substitutes for crystal waveplates, as polymer waveplates have the advantage of much lower sensitivities responding to the Angles of Incidence (AOI)s

Shalom EO’s polymer waveplates are engineered to be True Zero-order Waveplates, providing stable phase retardation over an expanded range of AOI deviations and unaffected performance over wavelength shifts. This page specializes in our Polymer Zero Order Quarter Wave Plates, which are designed to introduce precisely a 1/4 wavelength (a quarter wavelength) retardation between two orthogonal polarization components of light. The liquid crystal polymer true zero order waveplates or retarders can be used to convert linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light or vice versa when light is incident at 45° to the fast (or slow) axis of the 1/4 polymer waveplates.

The true zero order design in combination with the construction in which the polymer thin films are laminated between two fused silica windows makes our polymer quarter wave plates offer wider angular acceptance and more consistent polarization control over a broader spectral range than their multiple-order or crystal counterparts. This is because polymers, in their inherent nature, have low birefringence of minimal wavelength dependence. Shalom EO’s polymer quarter waveplates deliver greater performances over AOIs up to 15°, excellent retardance accuracies of ±λ/100, and superior retardance uniformity.

The polymer thin film fabricated using liquid crystal polymer is cemented between two quartz windows coated with AR coatings, this sandwiched structure and broadband AR coatings ensure both high optical transmission at the design wavelengths and robustness of the polymer waveplates. 

Shalom EO supplies a large selection of Stocked and Custom Liquid Crystal Polymer Quarter Waveplates. Our polymer quarter-wave plates are excellent for conversion between linear and circular polarization as well as corrections of elliptical polarization. For the stocked polymer quarter wavelength waveplates, numerous design wavelengths ranging from 405nm to 1550nm are available, and we provide multiple standard sizes including diameters 12.7mm (1/2”), 25.4mm (1”), and 50.8mm (2”). More custom designs are accessible upon request.

Polymer waveplates, especially with cemented structures are not recommended for applications requiring high laser damage thresholds. As an alternative, Shalom EO also provides stock and custom Zero Order Half Wave Plates and Zero Order Quarter Wave Plates fabricated using quartz and MgF2, where these crystal half waveplates and half waveplates offer better retardation precision, higher damage thresholds but reduced angular acceptance.


Related Optomechanical Products:

Hangzhou Shalom EO alo provide Manual Free Space Rotation Mounts compatible with our polymer quarter waveplates and half waveplates, the rotation mounts offer a wide angular rotation range of 360°. The SM threaded structure allow firm and seamless installation with our lens tubes and mounts. 

These versatile standard rotation mounts Shalom EO offer can accommodate round optical elements of different sizes and maximum thicknesses. Hangzhou Shalom EO provides three adaptable sizes of optics compatible to the mount, including dia12.7 mm (maximum thickness 9.3mm), dia25.4 mm (maximum thickness 10.8mm), and dia 50.8 mm (maximum thickness 13mm), making our rotation mount suitable for a wide range of optical applications. The engraved dial have a graduation of 2°to ensure flexible, continuous manual rotation experience and precise alignment is ensured without obstructions for various optics like waveplates or polarizers. 



Application Notes:

The Working Principle of Quarter Waveplates or Quarter Wavelength Plates

A Quarter Waveplate, also known as a Quarter Wavelength Plate, is an optical device that introduces a phase difference of 90° (or λ/4) between two orthogonal polarization components of light. It is widely used for controlling polarization states, such as converting linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light or vice versa. The working principle of a quarter waveplate relies on the phenomenon of birefringence, which occurs in certain birefringent materials (the materials can be crystals, like quartz, calcite, Magnesium Fluoride, or polymers). These materials exhibit two refractive indices: one for the ordinary ray (o-ray), which experiences a refractive index no, and another for the extraordinary ray (e-ray), which experiences a refractive index ne. Due to this difference, light polarized along these two axes travels at different speeds, causing a phase shift between the two components.

When light enters the quarter waveplates at a 45° angle to its optical axes (either the fast axis and slow axis of the quarter wave plates), the birefringence creates an optical path difference between the ordinary and extraordinary rays. The thickness of the waveplate is carefully designed so that this optical path difference equals one-quarter of the light's wavelength, resulting in a phase retardation of 90°. This phase retardation transforms the polarization state of the light. For instance, linearly polarized light incident at 45° to the axes is converted into circularly polarized light because the two orthogonal components are now equal in amplitude but separated by a 90° phase difference. Conversely, circularly polarized light passing through a quarter waveplate becomes linearly polarized. The waveplate can also modify elliptical polarization by adjusting the ellipticity or orientation.

Common Specifications:

MaterialsLiquid Crystal Polymer and UV Fused Silica WindowsRetardanceλ/4
Retardance Accuracy±λ/100Retardance Uniformity(RMS)±5nm
Anti-Reflection CoatingRavg<0.5% (@6°AOI)Transmitted Wavefront Error (@633nm)λ/2
Surface Quality(S/D)40/20Angle of Incidence (AOI)±15°
MountsDia25.4mm Retaining Rings/SM Threaded MountsDiameter Tolerance+0.00/-0.05mm
Thickness Tolerance±0.05mmWorking Temperature-20~60°C


633nm, Quarter Wave, True Zero Order Waveplate, Polymer, Dia25.4mm, Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring

633nm, Quarter Wave, True Zero Order Waveplate, Polymer, Dia25.4mm, Dia 25.4mm Retaining Ring

442nm, Quarter Wave, True Zero Order Waveplate, Polymer, Dia12.7mm SM05 Threaded Mount

442nm, Quarter Wave, True Zero Order Waveplate, Polymer, Dia12.7mm SM05 Threaded Mount

1030nm, Quarter Wave, True Zero Order Waveplate, Polymer, Dia50.8mm, SM2 Threaded Mount

1030nm, Quarter Wave, True Zero Order Waveplate, Polymer, Dia50.8mm, SM2 Threaded Mount