AQWP3 - Quarter Waveplates
Eliminate single wavelength waveplates with just one component. The achromatic quarterwave retarder converts incoming plane polarized light into circular polarization. Quarterwave retarders will make both lefthand or righthand circular polarization states. Our achromatic retarders are known to have very large clear apertures and precise quarterwave phase retardance. The AQWP3 broadband waveplate is popular with display developers, laser cavity isolation, optical isolation in systems and measurement device manufacturers.
AQWP3
Vis Achromatic Quarterwave Retarder
- Active Range: 400nm-750nm
- Price competitive
- True zero order
- Wide angle of acceptance
- Very large clear apertures
- Multi layer polymer stack
- Ultra wide Visible / Short NIR bandwidth
- Free standing or laminated between glass
- BBAR coated directly onto polymer optional
- Large aperture available, 100mm OD
Specification Focus
- .01 waves tolerance
- 99% internal transmittance
- Index of refraction = 1.58
- BBAR on raw polymer: R ≤ .75% per surface Avg.
Spec Downloads
BVO Achromatic Waveplates
Glass Laminated
Visible Quarterwave Achromatic Retarders
Off the Shelf
Bolder Vision carries an off the shelf quarterwave achromatic retarder 400-750nm. Our glass laminated achromatic retarder delivers low transmitted wavefront distortion, high internal transmittance and very large clear apertures. The standard outer diameter fits into many housings sold out of catalogs today.Custom Sizes
Naturally, BVO will manufacture any size glass for your requirements. OEM wafer slicing or water jet cutting available.AQWP3 – Standard Quarterwave Achromat Specifications
| Birefringent Material | Polymer, sandwiched between BK-7 substrates |
| Recommended Wavelength Range | λ/4, over visible region from 400 – 750nm |
| Surface Quality | 40-20 Scratch-Dig |
| Substrates | BK-7, grade-A, fine annealed |
| AR Coating | R ≤ 0.65% loss per surface (normal incidence) average, BBAR 400-900nm wavelength range |
| Size | 25.4mm outer diameter, 80% clear aperture (20mm) |
| Acceptance Angle | ± 15 degrees |
| Unit Thickness | 4.35mm +/- .20mm |
| Optic Axis Stability | ≤ 2 degree |
| Wavefront Distortion | λ/4 @ 632.8nm |
| Temperature Range | 20° C to 60° C |
| Wedge | ≤ 2 minutes |
| Damage Threshold | CW: 500 Watt/cm2 Vis Pulsed: .3 J/cm2 10 nsec pulses @ 532nm |
Free Standing Achromatic Waveplates
OEM cost effective achromatic half waveplates. Bolder Vision now offers lower-cost, achromatic, free standing polymer (FSA) waveplates. This achromat has no outer substrates and is ideal for integration into any production optical system because of low price and flexibility. Can be dual side anti-reflection coated for increased transmission.
Advantages of free standing achromats
Distinctly useful for OEM applications
Form Factor – Free standing waveplates can be sliced or die cut specifically for custom applications. This capability affords optic system designers to shrink their form factor size, dramatically decrease their cost per unit and expand design options.
AR Coatings – BBAR coatings on one side or both sides of FSA waveplates. Laminate onto pre-existing substrates (AR coating one side) or as a free standing retarder component (AR coating both sides).
Cost – Per unit cost contracts due to less raw materials and labor. The retardation characteristics are exactly the same as our standard product. Some designs do not call for low transmitted wavefront or high abrasion resistance. If this is true for you, the free standing polymer achromatic waveplate may be a wise choice to consider.
Environmentally Stable – The multi layer polymer stacks are optically fused using no adhesives. This fact results in a robust monolithic retarder that has sound environmental specs, high transmittance and a singular index of refraction.
AQWP3 – Free Standing Quarterwave Achromat Specifications
| Birefringent Material | Fused polymers |
| Stack Thickness | .35mm, +/- 0.05mm |
| Optional AR Coating | R ≤ .75% per surface Avg., 400-700nm |
| Environmental | 60° C at 90% RH for 1000 hours 80° C for 1000 hours dry, -30° C for 1000 hours dry -20° C (1 hour) to 75° C (1 hour) for 100 cycles |
