True zero order waveplates
from 266 nm to IR | >20 J/cm2 at 1064 nm

True zero-order waveplates are constructed from a very thin quartz plate that achieves true zero-order retardance, with a pure retardance of less than 1λ. In the visible spectrum, a true zero-order waveplate typically has a thickness of around 25 μm. Manufacturing, handling, and cleaning such a thin plate are considerably more expensive. To enhance durability, the thin waveplate can be bonded to N-BK7 or Fused Silica glass through cementing or optical contact. This bonding approach limits use in high-power applications due to the properties of the glass, yet it significantly reduces sensitivity to temperature and wavelength variation compared to lower-order waveplates (e.g. low order waveplate or zero order waveplate). For this reason, true zero-order waveplates are ideal for applications requiring extremely high accuracy or large angles of incidence, such as imaging systems.
3photon offers true zero-order waveplates with various contact configurations:
- An optically contacted or cemented waveplate combined with N-BK7 or Fused Silica glass, achieving a total thickness of 1 mm.
- A single, thin true zero-order waveplate with a thickness of less than 0.2 mm.
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- LIDT Values (Dependent on Bonding Type)
- Represents an ideal waveplate: its thin structure provides extremely precise optical phase delays for both half-wave and quarter-wave applications.
- Its thinness makes it less sensitive to temperature, angle of incidence, and wavelength variations compared to other types of waveplates.
- Requires a complex manufacturing process.
- Needs careful handling and cleaning.
- Prone to breakage.
- Most costly option among all 3photon waveplates.
- High-power true zero-order waveplate optically bonded to N-BK7/Fused Silica glass achieves LIDT values of 20 J/cm² at 1064 nm, 10 Hz, 10 ns, with a thickness of ~1 mm.
- Cemented true zero-order waveplate on N-BK7/Fused Silica glass achieves LIDT values of 0.3 J/cm² at 1064 nm, 10 Hz, 10 ns, with a thickness of ~1 mm.
- A single true zero-order waveplate achieves LIDT values of 20 J/cm² at 1064 nm, 10 Hz, 10 ns, with a thickness of less than 0.2 mm.
- A single true zero-order waveplate mounted in an N-BK7 glass holder supports LIDT values up to 20 J/cm² at 1064 nm, 10 Hz, 10 ns, with a thickness of less than 0.2 mm.
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