Newport MKS Quarter Wave Plate, Multiple-Order, Quartz, 12.7 mm Diameter, 532 & 1064 nm 05RP24-05

The 05RP24-05 Dual Wavelength Multiple-Order Quarter Wave Plate is a crystal quartz optic designed to differentially retard the phase of a polarized beam. With the proper phase shift, this wave plate can rotate the direction of polarization or convert linear into circular polarization. This 532 and 1064 nm antireflection coated 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) diameter multiple-order wave plate has λ/4 (90°) retardation. When using multiple-order wave plates, several items should be considered. A wave plate of practical thickness produces a multiple of λ/4 or λ/2 retardation (i.e. 15 1/2 λ for about 1 mm thickness). Higher orders cause retardation to vary dramatically with wavelength. Wave plates are sensitive to temperature changes. A typical multiple-order wave plate has a temperature coefficient of 0.0015 λ/°C, compared to 0.0001 λ/°C for a zero-order wave plate, so tighter temperature control will be required. Precise adjustment of retardation is possible by tilting the wave plate. Tilting about the slow axis increases retardation, while tilting about the fast axis reduces retardation.