Newport Introduces Achromatic Zero-Order Quartz-MgF2 Wave Plates

Irvine, CA, August 25, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Newport Corporation, a worldwide leader in laser and photonic solutions that Make, Manage and Measure Light®, introduces Large Diameter Achromatic Zero-Order Quartz-MgF2 Wave Plates. The family of larger aperture optics consists of two different birefringent crystals – crystalline quartz and magnesium fluoride (MgF2) – each with a highly efficient broadband antireflection coating, in an air-spaced design. The construction ensures excellent transmitted wavefront quality, while minimizing beam deviation and surface reflection losses. The assembly is mounted in a black, anodized aluminum housing for protection and ease of mounting, with the retarder fast axis reference marked for alignment.

The new, larger diameter wave plates feature 23 mm clear apertures and operate in the spectral wavelengths from 610 to 850 nm or from 700 to 1000 nm. Manufactured in the U. S., there are four new models; each is available with half or quarter wave retardance. The Achromatic Quartz-MgF2 Zero-Order Wave Plates provide a much higher degree of accuracy than regular zero-order quartz wave plates, maintaining retardation from ±λ/50 to ±λ/100 over the entire bandwidth.

According to Anna Sansan Wang, Optics Product Manager at Newport, “There is a growing need for larger aperture optics to meet the trend toward higher power ultrafast laser amplifiers. Newport’s air-spaced quartz-magnesium fluoride wave plates offer a higher damage resistance than achromatic polymer film wave plates, making them ideal for use in a variety of ultrafast applications.”