Frequently Asked Questions

A Quarter Waveplate is used to convert linearly polarized beams into circularly polarized beams (and vice versa).

A Quarter Waveplate introduces a 90° rotation of the plane of polarization, while a Half Waveplate introduces a 180° rotation.

Applications for Quarter Waveplates include creating circular polarization from linear or linear polarization from circular, ellipsometry, optical pumping, suppressing unwanted reflections (when used in conjunction with a polarizer) and optical isolation (when used with a Polarizing Beamsplitter Cube).

Ealing Zero Order Waveplates are the preferred type of waveplate. They are not as sensitive to changes in temperature, wavelength, angle of incidence, or collimation.

The phase difference of a waveplate is determined by the thickness of the retarder in mm, refractive indices of extraordinary and ordinary rays respectively, and wavelength in nm.

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