|
Waveplates are used in the synthesis and analysis of polarized light. Quarter waveplates transform linearly
polarized light into circularly polarized light, and vice-versa. Half waveplates rotate the plane of polarization of
linearly polarized light through any angle. They also convert left circularly polarized light into right circularly
polarized light, and vice-versa. Multiple Order Waveplates are made from a single crystalline quartz plate.
Retardation varies quickly with wavelength, thus they are generally useful only at their design wavelength.
Retardation is also a function of plate thickness and
is slightly temperature dependent due to thermal
expansion.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 07 May 2007 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Waveplates are used in the synthesis
and analysis of polarized light. Quarter waveplates transform linearly
polarized light into circularly polarized light, and vice-versa. Half
waveplates rotate the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light
through any angle. They also convert left circularly polarized light
into right circularly polarized light, and vice-versa. Zero Order Waveplates
are made from two crystalline quartz plates of similar thickness, that
are optically contacted together with orthogonally aligned optical axes.
Retardation varies slowly with wavelength, thus they are useful with
tunable or broadband sources. Retardation is a function of thickness difference between the two plates, and is
essentially invariant with temperature.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 07 May 2007 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
