Select the correct wavelength

Waveplates are a core product with Tower Optical. And we have been making them for over 40 years. When you get involved in a waveplates project it is important to select the correct wavelength, the specific retardation and size for your applications. Before entering into technical details about Waveplates we need to talk about Light polarization because Waveplates work directly with this parameter. Light is an electro magnetic wave, and the electric field of this wave oscillates perpendicularly to the direction of propagation… We can affirm polarization is the phenomenon that describes how the light reacts in time and space. Typical light polarizations are described as linear, circular and elliptical. In optics, the polarization of light is one of the most important parameters in which Waveplates can modify the state of the light. So basically Waveplates can transform one state of polarization into another. The most common Waveplates consist of one or two precisely oriented plane-parallel plates of crystal quartz, magnesium fluoride and sometimes sapphire. Tower Optical’s most popular Waveplates are made of air spaced Crystal Quarts, AR coated and mounted. They can be customized for your needs. Our most common Waveplates or retarders are quarter-wave and half-wave Retardance. The quarter-wave plate transforms between linear and circular polarizations. The half-wave plate can rotate the orientation of linear polarization, or switch between right-circular polarization and left-circular polarization. Our Waveplates are available in, multi-order, zero order, true -zero order and a-cro-matic. At Tower Optical we stock over ten thousand Waveplates for quick shipping as are able to offer custom wavelengths and configurations. We also offer A-cro-matic Waveplates, enabling them to be used across a broad-band range. They consist of two plates of different of Crystal Quartz and Magnesiun Floride . Typical wavelength bands are 465-610 nano meters, 610-850 nm, 700-1000 nm, and 1200-1,650 nm. They offer the flattest spectral response. Waveplates of all types are available either mounted or unmounted in cell-mounts. The cell-mount, is a ring of anodized aluminum with orientation marks and identifying information, which is made to fit into a standard optical system and protects the plates from chips or distortion. If the retarder consists of two plates, they may be air-spaced, or cemented together, or optically contacted,. Of these constructions, the air-space offers the greatest power handling, greatest laser damage threshold, and greatest thermal range. If you need more information about our Waveplates do not hesitate to contact us, our engineering team stand ready to assist you with your optical design. You also can visit our web site at toweroptical.com or contact our team at 561-740-2525. Again, that is 561-740-2525 Thank you for being on our wavelength and May the light be with you.