Quartz Waveplate
Quartz Waveplate
This optical element uses the birefringence of the quartz crystal to create a phase difference in light, allowing circular or linear polarization.
It is used in optical pickups for DVDs etc., reading devices for digital copiers, etc., and optical communications.
Specifications
| 1/4 Waveplate | 1/2 Waveplate | |||
| Type | Single plate | Two laminated plates | Single plate | Two laminated plates |
| Phase difference | 90° | 180° | ||
| Phase difference tolerance | ±3° | |||
| Design wavelength | 400～800nm | |||
| Coating feature | Reflectivity≦0.5%(one-sided) | |||
| Shape, plate thickness | Please contact us for inquiries regarding thicknesses of 5 mm or more. | |||
| Azimuth accuracy of optical axis | ±1° | |||
| Transmission wavefront aberration |
Depends on a separate meeting. | |||
Consult us for the effect of optical rotatory power of single plate type.
Optical Axis Direction
Please contact us for other optical axis directions θ not listed above. We can also produce substrates with axis direction accuracy of ± 0.1° or less for high-precision products such as optical communications.
Quartz Waveplate in the Terahertz Range
Synthetic quartz crystal, a material with high transparency in the terahertz range, is used as the waveplate material to control the polarization of light. We can also design and manufacture a wide bandwidth waveplate by laminating two synthetic quartz crystals together.
Quartz waveplate in the terahertz range (total thickness 6 mm)
Example of λ/4 waveplate simulation centered at 0.75 THz frequency
Wide Wavelength Bandwidth Waveplate Based on the Birefringence Effect of Quartz Crystal
Polarization can be controlled by the crystal axis, thickness, and number of pieces passing through the birefringent crystal. Our unique design and manufacturing technology can solve your light polarization concerns.
| 1/4 Waveplate | 1/2 Waveplate | |||||
| Type | Single plate (multi-order) | Two plates (zeroth-order) | Four plates (Broadband) | Single plate (multi-order) | Two plates (zeroth-order) | Four plates (Broadband) |
| Phase difference | 90° | 180° | ||||
| Phase difference tolerance | ±3° | |||||
| Design wavelength | 400～800nm (Consult us for other options) | |||||
| Coating feature | Reflectivity≦0.5%(one-sided) | |||||
| Shape, plate thickness | 2mm or more | |||||
| Azimuth accuracy of optical axis | ±1° | |||||
| Transmission wavefront aberration |
Ask us about other external shapes and thicknesses | |||||
1/2-wavelength design values and measured values for broadband using two conventional crystals (zero-order waveplates) and four crystals.
Example of λ/4 waveplate simulation centered at 0.75 THz frequency
Applications
- ・High brightness projector
- ・Optical pickups, office equipment, etc.
Surface Acoustic Wave Solution Sensor Using Quartz Crystal Piezoelectric Effect
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) is characterized by easy tuning to high frequency and sensitive detection of solution properties in minute volumes of a few microliters.
Surface acoustic wave solution sensor device
Example of measuring the speed of sound in solution, which varies with the number of protein molecules