SAPPHIRE WAVEPLATES
EXTEND POLARIZATION CONTROL

A line of custom manufactured sapphire waveplates that can convert the polarization state of laser light into a different polarization state is being introduced by Meller Optics, Inc. of Providence, Rhode Island.

Meller Sapphire Waveplates are manufactured to customer specifications in sizes from 10 to 30 mm in A or M plane configurations and extend polariza-tion control into the infrared beyond what fused silica optical waveplates can achieve. Featuring Mohs 9 hardness which is second only to diamond, they can be made as thin as 0.5 mm and less than 25 mm dia. and are highly resistant to chemicals, scratching, shock, and temperature fluctuations.

Changing the polarization state of a laser beam from linear to circular
and vice-versa to extend polarization control into the IR, Meller Sapphire Waveplates are fully validated for the highest accuracy on an in-house
X-Ray Goniometer. Providing transmitted wavefront of up to λ/10 @632 µm, they are A/R coated on both sides and provide λ/4 and λ/2 retardation with tolerances of > λ/300 @632 µm, > λ/400 @1.06 µm, and λ/1000 @2.94 µm.

Meller Sapphire Waveplates are priced depending upon size and quantity. Literature and quotations are available upon request.