Collection: Half Waveplate
Half-Wave Plate (λ/2 Plate):
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- A half-wave plate introduces a phase shift of 180 degrees (or half a wavelength) between the fast and slow axes.
- Function: It rotates the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light. The angle of rotation depends on the orientation of the waveplate relative to the incident light's polarization.
- Example: If you input linearly polarized light at 45° to the fast axis, it will rotate by twice that angle (90°).
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Where It's Used
Laser Systems: To control or adjust the polarization direction of laser beams.
Polarization Optics: In combination with polarizers or beam splitters to control how light is transmitted or reflected. -
Important Specifications
Wavelength Range
Half-wave plates are designed for specific wavelengths or wavelength ranges. Common discrete wavelengths include 266 nm to 2700 nm, depending on the material and design (e.g., zero-order or multi-order).
Retardance Accuracy
The precision of the phase shift introduced by the waveplate is crucial. For high-performance applications, retardance accuracy can be as precise as <λ/100 for zero-order waveplates. This ensures minimal deviation from the ideal half-wave retardance.