FiberBench Rotating Wave Plate Modules


  • Pre-Mounted Achromatic Wave Plates
  • Available with Quarter- or Half-Wave Retardance
  • Air-Spaced Construction

FBRP-AQ2

Precision Rotating Waveplate Module

FBR-AH2

Rotating Waveplate Module

Application Idea

Variable Optical Attenuator Constructed Within a FiberBench System (See Application Tab for Details) 

Related Items


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Webpage Features
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Common Specifications
Clear Aperture Ø4 mm
Beam Deviation <10 arcsec
Transmitted Wavefront Error λ/8 @ 633 nm
Surface Quality 20-10 Scratch-Dig
Material Crystalline Quartz and
Magnesium Fluoride
AR Coating Reflectance Ravg < 0.5% per Surface
Over AR Coating Rangea
  • See tables below for AR coating ranges.

Features

  • Achromatic Quarter-Wave and Half-Wave Plate Modules for FiberBench Systems
  • Compound Plate Design Using Crystal Quartz and MgF2
  • Air-Spaced Construction for High-Power Applications
  • Available AR Coated for 400 - 800 nm, 700 - 1200 nm, or 1100 - 2000 nm
  • Engraved Rotation Index with 2° Spacing
    • Precision Mounts Include a Vernier Scale with 10 arcmin Resolution
  • Slow Axis is Marked by Engraved Line on the Front of the Housing
  • Please Contact Tech Support for Special Requests

These Achromatic Quarter- and Half-Wave Plate Modules for our FiberBench systems feature a compound-plate design that uses Crystal Quartz and MgF2 to provide a flat retardance over the operating range. Three different AR coatings are available for the 400 - 800 nm, 690 - 1200 nm, or 1100 - 2000 nm wavelength ranges. The optical axis height is 0.56" (14.3 mm), which provides compatibility with other FiberBench components.

Each wave plate has a Ø4 mm clear aperture and is mounted into an FBR compact or an FBRP high-precision rotation mount with continuous 360° rotation. Each mount's rotating cell has a knurled edge and 360° laser-engraved scale marked at 2° increments for precise, repeatable positioning and fine angular adjustment. High-precision mounts also include a Vernier scale for determining angular position with a resolution of 10 arcmin and a screw that provides ±5.5° of fine rotational adjustment. Engraved lines on the front face of the wave plate housing indicate the slow axis.

The wave plates are air spaced for use with high-power beams and provide minimal wavefront error and beam deviation. The AR coating only contributes an additional insertion loss of 0.1 dB per component. Wave plate modules can be removed and replaced with no change in insertion loss. Because achromatic wave plates have a flat spectral response, they are ideal for polarization applications requiring bandwidths greater than 20 nm. As such, quarter- and half-wave modules can be added to any FiberBench system to create polarization controllers, PM fiber launch systems, or other devices. For this and all other custom requests, please contact Tech Support.

FiberBench Accessories
FiberPorts Optic Mounts Alignment Tools Polarizers
Beamsplitter Modules Mirror Modules Rotating Wave Plates FiberBenches

Variable Optical Attenuator Application

A continuously variable attenuator can be assembled using the FiberBench components listed in the table below. The FiberPort collimates the beam from a SM or PM fiber, and the collimated beam then goes through a calcite beam displacerwhere it is split into its respective horizontal (P) and vertical (S) components. The orientation of the wave plate controls how much energy is in the beam. It can be rotated to give the desired attenuation - zero, partial, or full. The signal then enters a reversed calcite walk-off polarizer where it will be recombined or further separated. The only energy that will couple back into the output fiber is the signal on the central axis. The central beam will then be focused into the output fiber by the output FiberPort.

Item #QtyDescription
PBB-IR-10-L1Beam Displacer Module, AR Coating: 1280-1625 nm, Left-Handed
PBB-IR-10-R1Beam Displacer Module, AR Coating: 1280-1625 nm, Right-Handed
PAF2-4E2FiberPort, FC/PC & FC/APC, f=4.0 mm, 2.0 - 5.0 µm, Ø1.17 mm Waist
FB-51W1Single-Axis FiberBench with Wall Plates and Dust Cover, L = 51 mm, 5 Positions
FBR-AH31Achromatic Half-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 1100 - 2000 nm
P1-830A-FC-22Single Mode Patch Cable, 830 - 980 nm, FC/PC, Ø3 mm Jacket, 2 m Long
Zero Attenuation
Click to Enlarge

The RABH wave plate is rotated so that there is only one output beam; this also means that the input and output polarizations are the same.
Partial Attenuation
Click to Enlarge

The RABH wave plate is rotated so that there are three output beams. The RABH orientation will control how much energy is in each beam. The only energy that will couple into the fiber is the energy in the central beam. The attenuation range is 1 to 40 dB with any value in between.
Full Attenuation
Click to Enlarge

The RABH wave plate is rotated so that there are two output beams, which will be displaced to the left and to the right of the center. In this position, there will be minimal coupling efficiency, resulting in a maximum attenuation of 40 dB.

Reading a Vernier Scale on a Linear Main Scale

Vernier scales are typically used to add precision to standard, evenly divided scales (such as the scales on Thorlabs' rotation, goniometric, or translation mounts). A vernier scale has found common use in many precision measurement instruments, the most common being calipers and micrometers. The vernier scale uses two scales side-by-side: the main scale and the vernier scale. The direct vernier scale has a slightly smaller spacing between its tick marks owing to the vernier scale having N ticks for every N - 1 ticks on the main scale. Hence, the lines on the main scale will not line up with all the lines on the vernier scale. Only one line from the vernier scale will match well with one line of the main scale, and that is the trick to reading a vernier scale.

Figures 1 through 3 show a linear vernier scale system for three different situations. In each case, the scale on the left is the main scale, while the small scale on the right is the vernier scale. When reading a vernier scale, the main scale is used for the gross number, and the vernier scale gives the precision value. In this manner, a standard ruler or micrometer can become a precision instrument.

The 0 on the vernier scale is the "pointer" (marked by a red arrow in Figures 1 - 5) and will indicate the main scale reading. In Figure 1 we see the pointer is lined up directly with the 75.6 line. Notice that the only other vernier scale tick mark that lines up well with the main scale is 10. Since the pointer lines up with the main scale’s 75.6, the reading from Figure 1 is 75.60 (in whatever units the instrument measures).

That is essentially all there is to reading a vernier scale. It's a very straightforward way of increasing the precision of a measurement instrument. To expound, let’s look at Figure 2. Here we see that the pointer is no longer aligned with a line on the main scale, but instead it is slightly above 75.6 and below 75.7; thus, the gross measurement is 75.6. The first vernier line that coincides with a main scale line is the 5, shown with a blue arrow. The vernier scale gives the final digit of precision; since the 5 is aligned to the main scale, the precision measurement for Figure 2 is 75.65.

Since this vernier scale is 10% smaller than the main scale, moving the vernier scale by 1/10 of the main scale will align the next vernier marking. This asks the obvious question: what if the measurement is within the 1/10 precision of the vernier scale? Figure 3 shows just this. Again, the pointer line is in between 75.6 and 75.7, yielding the gross measurement of 75.6. If we look closely, we see that the vernier scale 7 (marked with a blue arrow) is very closely aligned to the main scale, giving a precision measurement of 75.67. However, the vernier scale 7 is very slightly above the main scale mark, and we can see that the vernier scale 8 (directly above 7) is slightly below its corresponding main scale mark. Hence, the scale on Figure 3 could be read as 75.673 ± 0.002. A reading error of about 0.002 would be appropriate for
this instrument.

Figure 1: Vernier scale measuring 76.0
Click to Enlarge

Figure 1: An example of how to read a vernier scale. The red arrow indicates what is known as the pointer. Since the tick mark labeled 10 on the vernier scale aligns with one of the tick marks on the main scale, this vernier scale is reading 75.60 (in whatever units the instrument measures).
Figure 1: Vernier scale measuring 76.0
Click to Enlarge

Figure 2: The red arrow indicates the pointer and the blue arrow indicates the vernier line that matches the main scale. This scale reads 75.65.
Figure 1: Vernier scale measuring 76.0
Click to Enlarge

Figure 3: The red arrow indicates the pointer, and the blue arrow indicates the vernier line that matches the main scale. This scale reads 75.67 but can be accurately read as
75.673 ± 0.002.

 

Reading a Vernier Scale on a Rotating Main Scale

The vernier scale may also be used on rotating scales where the main scale and vernier scale do not share units. Figures 4 and 5 show a vernier scale system for two different situations where the main scale is given in degrees and the vernier scale has ticks every 5 arcmin (60 arcmin = 1°). In each case, the scale on the top is the main scale, while the small scale on the bottom is the vernier scale.

In Figure 4 we see the pointer is lined up directly with the 341° line. Notice that the only other vernier scale tick marks that line up well with the main scale are ±60 arcmin. Since the pointer lines up with the main scale at 341°, the reading from Figure 4 is 341.00°.

There are two ways to determine the reading if the zero on the vernier scale line is between two lines of the main scale. For the first method, take the line on the left side of the pointer on the vernier scale and subtract that value (in arcmin) from the value on the main scale that is to the right on the main scale. As an example, in Figure 5 the vernier pointer is between 342° and 343°; using the left blue arrow of the vernier scale results in 343° - 15 arcmin = 342.75°. The second method is to take the reading from the blue arrow on the right side of the vernier pointer and add that value to the lower value from the main scale; reading the right blue arrow in Figure 5 results in 342° + 45 arcmin = 342.75°.

As we've seen here, vernier scales add precision to a standard scale measurement. While it takes a bit of getting used to, with a little practice, reading these scales is fairly straightforward. Vernier scales, whether they are direct or retrograde*, are read in the same fashion.

*A retrograde vernier scale has a larger spacing between its tick marks with N ticks for every N + 1 ticks on the main scale.

Figure 1: Vernier scale measuring 341.00°.
Click to Enlarge

Figure 4: An example of a vernier scale where the main scale and the vernier scale are in different units (degrees and arcmins, respectively). The red arrow indicates the pointer. This scale reads 341.00°.
Figure 2: Vernier scale measuring 342.75°.
Click to Enlarge

Figure 5: The red arrow indicates the pointer and the blue arrows give the precision value from the vernier scale.
This scale reads 342.75°.
Damage Threshold Specifications
Item # Suffix Damage Threshold
-AQ1 5 J/cm2 (532 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.489 mm)
-AH1
-AQ2 0.432 J/cm2 (797 nm, 180 fs, 1 kHz, Ø0.178 mm)
5 J/cm2 (810 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.157 mm)
-AH2
-AQ3 5 J/cm2 (1542 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.189 mm)
-AH3

Damage Threshold Data for Thorlabs' FiberBench Wave Plates

The specifications to the right are measured data for Thorlabs' FiberBench Achromatic Wave Plates.

 

Laser Induced Damage Threshold Tutorial

The following is a general overview of how laser induced damage thresholds are measured and how the values may be utilized in determining the appropriateness of an optic for a given application. When choosing optics, it is important to understand the Laser Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) of the optics being used. The LIDT for an optic greatly depends on the type of laser you are using. Continuous wave (CW) lasers typically cause damage from thermal effects (absorption either in the coating or in the substrate). Pulsed lasers, on the other hand, often strip electrons from the lattice structure of an optic before causing thermal damage. Note that the guideline presented here assumes room temperature operation and optics in new condition (i.e., within scratch-dig spec, surface free of contamination, etc.). Because dust or other particles on the surface of an optic can cause damage at lower thresholds, we recommend keeping surfaces clean and free of debris. For more information on cleaning optics, please see our Optics Cleaning tutorial.

Testing Method

Thorlabs' LIDT testing is done in compliance with ISO/DIS 11254 and ISO 21254 specifications.

First, a low-power/energy beam is directed to the optic under test. The optic is exposed in 10 locations to this laser beam for 30 seconds (CW) or for a number of pulses (pulse repetition frequency specified). After exposure, the optic is examined by a microscope (~100X magnification) for any visible damage. The number of locations that are damaged at a particular power/energy level is recorded. Next, the power/energy is either increased or decreased and the optic is exposed at 10 new locations. This process is repeated until damage is observed. The damage threshold is then assigned to be the highest power/energy that the optic can withstand without causing damage. A histogram such as that below represents the testing of one BB1-E02 mirror.

LIDT metallic mirror
The photograph above is a protected aluminum-coated mirror after LIDT testing. In this particular test, it handled 0.43 J/cm2 (1064 nm, 10 ns pulse, 10 Hz, Ø1.000 mm) before damage.
LIDT BB1-E02
Example Test Data
Fluence # of Tested Locations Locations with Damage Locations Without Damage
1.50 J/cm2 10 0 10
1.75 J/cm2 10 0 10
2.00 J/cm2 10 0 10
2.25 J/cm2 10 1 9
3.00 J/cm2 10 1 9
5.00 J/cm2 10 9 1

According to the test, the damage threshold of the mirror was 2.00 J/cm2 (532 nm, 10 ns pulse, 10 Hz, Ø0.803 mm). Please keep in mind that these tests are performed on clean optics, as dirt and contamination can significantly lower the damage threshold of a component. While the test results are only representative of one coating run, Thorlabs specifies damage threshold values that account for coating variances.

Continuous Wave and Long-Pulse Lasers

When an optic is damaged by a continuous wave (CW) laser, it is usually due to the melting of the surface as a result of absorbing the laser's energy or damage to the optical coating (antireflection) [1]. Pulsed lasers with pulse lengths longer than 1 µs can be treated as CW lasers for LIDT discussions.

When pulse lengths are between 1 ns and 1 µs, laser-induced damage can occur either because of absorption or a dielectric breakdown (therefore, a user must check both CW and pulsed LIDT). Absorption is either due to an intrinsic property of the optic or due to surface irregularities; thus LIDT values are only valid for optics meeting or exceeding the surface quality specifications given by a manufacturer. While many optics can handle high power CW lasers, cemented (e.g., achromatic doublets) or highly absorptive (e.g., ND filters) optics tend to have lower CW damage thresholds. These lower thresholds are due to absorption or scattering in the cement or metal coating.

Linear Power Density Scaling

LIDT in linear power density vs. pulse length and spot size. For long pulses to CW, linear power density becomes a constant with spot size. This graph was obtained from [1].

Intensity Distribution

Pulsed lasers with high pulse repetition frequencies (PRF) may behave similarly to CW beams. Unfortunately, this is highly dependent on factors such as absorption and thermal diffusivity, so there is no reliable method for determining when a high PRF laser will damage an optic due to thermal effects. For beams with a high PRF both the average and peak powers must be compared to the equivalent CW power. Additionally, for highly transparent materials, there is little to no drop in the LIDT with increasing PRF.

In order to use the specified CW damage threshold of an optic, it is necessary to know the following:

  1. Wavelength of your laser
  2. Beam diameter of your beam (1/e2)
  3. Approximate intensity profile of your beam (e.g., Gaussian)
  4. Linear power density of your beam (total power divided by 1/e2 beam diameter)

Thorlabs expresses LIDT for CW lasers as a linear power density measured in W/cm. In this regime, the LIDT given as a linear power density can be applied to any beam diameter; one does not need to compute an adjusted LIDT to adjust for changes in spot size, as demonstrated by the graph to the right. Average linear power density can be calculated using the equation below. 

The calculation above assumes a uniform beam intensity profile. You must now consider hotspots in the beam or other non-uniform intensity profiles and roughly calculate a maximum power density. For reference, a Gaussian beam typically has a maximum power density that is twice that of the uniform beam (see lower right).

Now compare the maximum power density to that which is specified as the LIDT for the optic. If the optic was tested at a wavelength other than your operating wavelength, the damage threshold must be scaled appropriately. A good rule of thumb is that the damage threshold has a linear relationship with wavelength such that as you move to shorter wavelengths, the damage threshold decreases (i.e., a LIDT of 10 W/cm at 1310 nm scales to 5 W/cm at 655 nm):

CW Wavelength Scaling

While this rule of thumb provides a general trend, it is not a quantitative analysis of LIDT vs wavelength. In CW applications, for instance, damage scales more strongly with absorption in the coating and substrate, which does not necessarily scale well with wavelength. While the above procedure provides a good rule of thumb for LIDT values, please contact Tech Support if your wavelength is different from the specified LIDT wavelength. If your power density is less than the adjusted LIDT of the optic, then the optic should work for your application. 

Please note that we have a buffer built in between the specified damage thresholds online and the tests which we have done, which accommodates variation between batches. Upon request, we can provide individual test information and a testing certificate. The damage analysis will be carried out on a similar optic (customer's optic will not be damaged). Testing may result in additional costs or lead times. Contact Tech Support for more information.

Pulsed Lasers

As previously stated, pulsed lasers typically induce a different type of damage to the optic than CW lasers. Pulsed lasers often do not heat the optic enough to damage it; instead, pulsed lasers produce strong electric fields capable of inducing dielectric breakdown in the material. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to compare the LIDT specification of an optic to your laser. There are multiple regimes in which a pulsed laser can damage an optic and this is based on the laser's pulse length. The highlighted columns in the table below outline the relevant pulse lengths for our specified LIDT values.

Pulses shorter than 10-9 s cannot be compared to our specified LIDT values with much reliability. In this ultra-short-pulse regime various mechanics, such as multiphoton-avalanche ionization, take over as the predominate damage mechanism [2]. In contrast, pulses between 10-7 s and 10-4 s may cause damage to an optic either because of dielectric breakdown or thermal effects. This means that both CW and pulsed damage thresholds must be compared to the laser beam to determine whether the optic is suitable for your application.

Pulse Duration t < 10-9 s 10-9 < t < 10-7 s 10-7 < t < 10-4 s t > 10-4 s
Damage Mechanism Avalanche Ionization Dielectric Breakdown Dielectric Breakdown or Thermal Thermal
Relevant Damage Specification No Comparison (See Above) Pulsed Pulsed and CW CW

When comparing an LIDT specified for a pulsed laser to your laser, it is essential to know the following:

Energy Density Scaling

LIDT in energy density vs. pulse length and spot size. For short pulses, energy density becomes a constant with spot size. This graph was obtained from [1].

  1. Wavelength of your laser
  2. Energy density of your beam (total energy divided by 1/e2 area)
  3. Pulse length of your laser
  4. Pulse repetition frequency (prf) of your laser
  5. Beam diameter of your laser (1/e2 )
  6. Approximate intensity profile of your beam (e.g., Gaussian)

The energy density of your beam should be calculated in terms of J/cm2. The graph to the right shows why expressing the LIDT as an energy density provides the best metric for short pulse sources. In this regime, the LIDT given as an energy density can be applied to any beam diameter; one does not need to compute an adjusted LIDT to adjust for changes in spot size. This calculation assumes a uniform beam intensity profile. You must now adjust this energy density to account for hotspots or other nonuniform intensity profiles and roughly calculate a maximum energy density. For reference a Gaussian beam typically has a maximum energy density that is twice that of the 1/e2 beam.

Now compare the maximum energy density to that which is specified as the LIDT for the optic. If the optic was tested at a wavelength other than your operating wavelength, the damage threshold must be scaled appropriately [3]. A good rule of thumb is that the damage threshold has an inverse square root relationship with wavelength such that as you move to shorter wavelengths, the damage threshold decreases (i.e., a LIDT of 1 J/cm2 at 1064 nm scales to 0.7 J/cm2 at 532 nm):

Pulse Wavelength Scaling

You now have a wavelength-adjusted energy density, which you will use in the following step.

Beam diameter is also important to know when comparing damage thresholds. While the LIDT, when expressed in units of J/cm², scales independently of spot size; large beam sizes are more likely to illuminate a larger number of defects which can lead to greater variances in the LIDT [4]. For data presented here, a <1 mm beam size was used to measure the LIDT. For beams sizes greater than 5 mm, the LIDT (J/cm2) will not scale independently of beam diameter due to the larger size beam exposing more defects.

The pulse length must now be compensated for. The longer the pulse duration, the more energy the optic can handle. For pulse widths between 1 - 100 ns, an approximation is as follows:

Pulse Length Scaling

Use this formula to calculate the Adjusted LIDT for an optic based on your pulse length. If your maximum energy density is less than this adjusted LIDT maximum energy density, then the optic should be suitable for your application. Keep in mind that this calculation is only used for pulses between 10-9 s and 10-7 s. For pulses between 10-7 s and 10-4 s, the CW LIDT must also be checked before deeming the optic appropriate for your application.

Please note that we have a buffer built in between the specified damage thresholds online and the tests which we have done, which accommodates variation between batches. Upon request, we can provide individual test information and a testing certificate. Contact Tech Support for more information.


[1] R. M. Wood, Optics and Laser Tech. 29, 517 (1998).
[2] Roger M. Wood, Laser-Induced Damage of Optical Materials (Institute of Physics Publishing, Philadelphia, PA, 2003).
[3] C. W. Carr et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 127402 (2003).
[4] N. Bloembergen, Appl. Opt. 12, 661 (1973).

In order to illustrate the process of determining whether a given laser system will damage an optic, a number of example calculations of laser induced damage threshold are given below. For assistance with performing similar calculations, we provide a spreadsheet calculator that can be downloaded by clicking the button to the right. To use the calculator, enter the specified LIDT value of the optic under consideration and the relevant parameters of your laser system in the green boxes. The spreadsheet will then calculate a linear power density for CW and pulsed systems, as well as an energy density value for pulsed systems. These values are used to calculate adjusted, scaled LIDT values for the optics based on accepted scaling laws. This calculator assumes a Gaussian beam profile, so a correction factor must be introduced for other beam shapes (uniform, etc.). The LIDT scaling laws are determined from empirical relationships; their accuracy is not guaranteed. Remember that absorption by optics or coatings can significantly reduce LIDT in some spectral regions. These LIDT values are not valid for ultrashort pulses less than one nanosecond in duration.

Intensity Distribution
A Gaussian beam profile has about twice the maximum intensity of a uniform beam profile.

CW Laser Example
Suppose that a CW laser system at 1319 nm produces a 0.5 W Gaussian beam that has a 1/e2 diameter of 10 mm. A naive calculation of the average linear power density of this beam would yield a value of 0.5 W/cm, given by the total power divided by the beam diameter:

CW Wavelength Scaling

However, the maximum power density of a Gaussian beam is about twice the maximum power density of a uniform beam, as shown in the graph to the right. Therefore, a more accurate determination of the maximum linear power density of the system is 1 W/cm.

An AC127-030-C achromatic doublet lens has a specified CW LIDT of 350 W/cm, as tested at 1550 nm. CW damage threshold values typically scale directly with the wavelength of the laser source, so this yields an adjusted LIDT value:

CW Wavelength Scaling

The adjusted LIDT value of 350 W/cm x (1319 nm / 1550 nm) = 298 W/cm is significantly higher than the calculated maximum linear power density of the laser system, so it would be safe to use this doublet lens for this application.

Pulsed Nanosecond Laser Example: Scaling for Different Pulse Durations
Suppose that a pulsed Nd:YAG laser system is frequency tripled to produce a 10 Hz output, consisting of 2 ns output pulses at 355 nm, each with 1 J of energy, in a Gaussian beam with a 1.9 cm beam diameter (1/e2). The average energy density of each pulse is found by dividing the pulse energy by the beam area:

Pulse Energy Density

As described above, the maximum energy density of a Gaussian beam is about twice the average energy density. So, the maximum energy density of this beam is ~0.7 J/cm2.

The energy density of the beam can be compared to the LIDT values of 1 J/cm2 and 3.5 J/cm2 for a BB1-E01 broadband dielectric mirror and an NB1-K08 Nd:YAG laser line mirror, respectively. Both of these LIDT values, while measured at 355 nm, were determined with a 10 ns pulsed laser at 10 Hz. Therefore, an adjustment must be applied for the shorter pulse duration of the system under consideration. As described on the previous tab, LIDT values in the nanosecond pulse regime scale with the square root of the laser pulse duration:

Pulse Length Scaling

This adjustment factor results in LIDT values of 0.45 J/cm2 for the BB1-E01 broadband mirror and 1.6 J/cm2 for the Nd:YAG laser line mirror, which are to be compared with the 0.7 J/cm2 maximum energy density of the beam. While the broadband mirror would likely be damaged by the laser, the more specialized laser line mirror is appropriate for use with this system.

Pulsed Nanosecond Laser Example: Scaling for Different Wavelengths
Suppose that a pulsed laser system emits 10 ns pulses at 2.5 Hz, each with 100 mJ of energy at 1064 nm in a 16 mm diameter beam (1/e2) that must be attenuated with a neutral density filter. For a Gaussian output, these specifications result in a maximum energy density of 0.1 J/cm2. The damage threshold of an NDUV10A Ø25 mm, OD 1.0, reflective neutral density filter is 0.05 J/cm2 for 10 ns pulses at 355 nm, while the damage threshold of the similar NE10A absorptive filter is 10 J/cm2 for 10 ns pulses at 532 nm. As described on the previous tab, the LIDT value of an optic scales with the square root of the wavelength in the nanosecond pulse regime:

Pulse Wavelength Scaling

This scaling gives adjusted LIDT values of 0.08 J/cm2 for the reflective filter and 14 J/cm2 for the absorptive filter. In this case, the absorptive filter is the best choice in order to avoid optical damage.

Pulsed Microsecond Laser Example
Consider a laser system that produces 1 µs pulses, each containing 150 µJ of energy at a repetition rate of 50 kHz, resulting in a relatively high duty cycle of 5%. This system falls somewhere between the regimes of CW and pulsed laser induced damage, and could potentially damage an optic by mechanisms associated with either regime. As a result, both CW and pulsed LIDT values must be compared to the properties of the laser system to ensure safe operation.

If this relatively long-pulse laser emits a Gaussian 12.7 mm diameter beam (1/e2) at 980 nm, then the resulting output has a linear power density of 5.9 W/cm and an energy density of 1.2 x 10-4 J/cm2 per pulse. This can be compared to the LIDT values for a WPQ10E-980 polymer zero-order quarter-wave plate, which are 5 W/cm for CW radiation at 810 nm and 5 J/cm2 for a 10 ns pulse at 810 nm. As before, the CW LIDT of the optic scales linearly with the laser wavelength, resulting in an adjusted CW value of 6 W/cm at 980 nm. On the other hand, the pulsed LIDT scales with the square root of the laser wavelength and the square root of the pulse duration, resulting in an adjusted value of 55 J/cm2 for a 1 µs pulse at 980 nm. The pulsed LIDT of the optic is significantly greater than the energy density of the laser pulse, so individual pulses will not damage the wave plate. However, the large average linear power density of the laser system may cause thermal damage to the optic, much like a high-power CW beam.


Posted Comments:
Sofia Botsi  (posted 2023-06-27 16:38:31.083)
Can I use the FBR-AH3 with a 2W beam of 0.5mm diameter at 1064nm?
jdelia  (posted 2023-07-05 04:27:38.0)
Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Based on the specifications you have given and prior tests that we have conducted, we would expect this beam to be acceptable for the FBR-AH3 half-wave plate.
guillaume.lepert07  (posted 2014-07-25 13:12:39.193)
The magnet is very strong so the modules have to be handled VERY carefully near other magnetic objects, e.g. the optical table... I nearly broke one. a warning should be included in the package!
jlow  (posted 2014-08-07 04:02:42.0)
Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Thank you very much for your feedback. We will look into including this in the future.
user  (posted 2014-05-16 18:54:36.927)
Our lab purchased some waveplates of type RABQ-980. Is the engraved line on the front face indicating the fast or the slow axis of the retarder? I can't seem to find that information anywhere in the documentation or on the website.
myanakas  (posted 2014-05-19 08:58:01.0)
Response from Mike at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. The engraved line on the front face is aligned at the slow axis of the wave plate. We will have our web presentation updated to have this information shortly.
Thorlabs  (posted 2010-10-25 15:48:48.0)
Response from Javier at Thorlabs to jbl: I would recommend using the AHWP05M-1660 waveplate instead of the RABH-1600. It actually consists of the same optic, just mounted in a different package. You can then mount it onto a PRM1Z8 motorized rotation stage. I will contact you directly with more details and links.
jbl  (posted 2010-10-25 14:45:54.0)
Dear Sirs, I need an achromatic waveplate like the RABH-1600, but I need it to be mounted in an automatically controllable rotation stage. This is probably a very common way of using them, so I assume you have a solution for it? /JB
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Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plate Modules for FiberBench

  • Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plates Mounted in FiberBench-Compatible Housings
  • 360° Continuous Rotation
  • Engraved Scale with 2° Increments
  • Top-Located Locking Screw [0.050" (1.3 mm) Hex]

These quarter-wave plates are mounted in FBR compact rotation mounts that provide 360° of continuous rotation. The mount's rotating cell has a knurled edge and 360° laser-engraved scale marked at 2° increments for precise, repeatable positioning and fine angular adjustment. A 0.050" hex (1.3 mm) top-located locking screw allows the rotational position of the wave plate to be secured once the desired angle is reached.

Item # FBR-AQ1a FBR-AQ2b FBR-AQ3c
AR Coating Range 400 nm - 800 nm 700 nm - 1200 nm 1100 nm - 2000 nm
Nominal Retardance λ/4
Retardance Accuracyd λ/59 λ/188 λ/236
Damage Threshold 5 J/cm2 (532 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.489 mm) 0.432 J/cm2 (797 nm, 180 fs, 1 kHz, Ø0.178 mm)
5 J/cm2 (810 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.157 mm)
5 J/cm2 (1542 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.189 mm)
Rotation 360° Continuous
Performance Graphs (Click Icons to View)
Retardance (Theoretical) AQWP Retardance AQWP Retardance AQWP Retardance
Transmission AQWP Transmission AQWP Transmission AQWP Transmission
Angle of Incidence AQWP AOI AQWP AOI AQWP AOI
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • Relative to the theoretical performance shown in the retardance graphs.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
FBR-AQ1 Support Documentation
FBR-AQ1Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 400 - 800 nm
$363.50
3 Weeks
FBR-AQ2 Support Documentation
FBR-AQ2Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 700 - 1200 nm
$363.50
Today
FBR-AQ3 Support Documentation
FBR-AQ3Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 1100 - 2000 nm
$363.50
Today
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Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plate High-Precision Modules for FiberBench

  • Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plates Mounted in FiberBench-Compatible Housings
  • 360° Continuous Rotation
  • Engraved Scale with 2° Increments; Vernier Scale with 10 arcmin Resolution
  • ±5.5° Fine Adjustment

These quarter-wave plates are mounted in FBRP high-precision rotation mounts that provide 360° of continuous rotation and ±5.5° of fine adjustment. The mount's rotating cell has a knurled edge and 360° laser-engraved scale marked at 2° increments, and a Vernier scale provides a resolution of 10 arcmin. A screw on the side of the housing (0.028" hex) allows the fine adjustment to be engaged or disengaged. Once engaged, the fine adjuster be turned using a 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex key (included) for ±5.5° of precise angular adjustment with a resolution of 0.48° (28.8 arcmin) per revolution.

Item # FBRP-AQ1a FBRP-AQ2b FBRP-AQ3c
AR Coating Range 400 nm - 800 nm 700 nm - 1200 nm 1100 nm - 2000 nm
Nominal Retardance λ/4
Retardance Accuracyd λ/59 λ/188 λ/236
Damage Threshold 5 J/cm2 (532 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.489 mm) 0.432 J/cm2 (797 nm, 180 fs, 1 kHz, Ø0.178 mm)
5 J/cm2 (810 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.157 mm)
5 J/cm2 (1542 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.189 mm)
Rotation 360° Continuous, ±5.5° Fine Adjustment
Performance Graphs (Click Icons to View)
Retardance (Theoretical) AQWP Retardance AQWP Retardance AQWP Retardance
Transmission AQWP Transmission AQWP Transmission AQWP Transmission
Angle of Incidence AQWP AOI AQWP AOI AQWP AOI
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • Relative to the theoretical performance shown in the retardance graphs.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
FBRP-AQ1 Support Documentation
FBRP-AQ1Precision Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 400 - 800 nm
$484.16
Today
FBRP-AQ2 Support Documentation
FBRP-AQ2Customer Inspired! Precision Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 700 - 1200 nm
$484.16
Lead Time
FBRP-AQ3 Support Documentation
FBRP-AQ3Precision Achromatic Quarter-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 1100 - 2000 nm
$484.16
Today
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Achromatic Half-Wave Plate Modules for FiberBench

  • Achromatic Half-Wave Plates Mounted in FiberBench-Compatible Housings
  • 360° Continuous Rotation
  • Engraved Scale with 2° Increments
  • Top-Located Locking Screw [0.050" (1.3 mm) Hex]

These half-wave plates are mounted in FBR compact rotation mounts that provide 360° of continuous rotation. The mount's rotating cell has a knurled edge and 360° laser-engraved scale marked at 2° increments for precise, repeatable positioning and fine angular adjustment. A 0.050" hex (1.3 mm) top-located locking screw allows the rotational position of the wave plate to be secured once the desired angle is reached.

Item # FBR-AH1a FBR-AH2b FBR-AH3c
AR Coating Range 400 nm - 800 nm 700 nm - 1200 nm 1100 nm - 2000 nm
Nominal Retardance λ/2
Retardance Accuracyd λ/40 λ/55 λ/71
Damage Threshold 5 J/cm2 (532 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.489 mm) 0.432 J/cm2 (797 nm, 180 fs, 1 kHz, Ø0.178 mm)
5 J/cm2 (810 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.157 mm)
5 J/cm2 (1542 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.189 mm)
Rotation 360° Continuous
Performance Graphs (Click Icons to View)
Retardance (Theoretical) AHWP Retardance AHWP Retardance AHWP Retardance
Transmission AHWP Transmission AHWP Transmission AHWP Transmission
Angle of Incidence AHWP AOI AHWP AOI AHWP AOI
  • To view an excel file that lists all of the transmission, retardance, and AOI values for this wave plate, please click here.
  • To view an excel file that lists all of the transmission, retardance, and AOI values for this wave plate, please click here.
  • To view an excel file that lists all of the transmission, retardance, and AOI values for this wave plate, please click here.
  • Relative to the theoretical performance shown in the retardance graphs.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
FBR-AH1 Support Documentation
FBR-AH1Achromatic Half-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 400 - 800 nm
$363.50
Today
FBR-AH2 Support Documentation
FBR-AH2Achromatic Half-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 700 - 1200 nm
$363.50
Today
FBR-AH3 Support Documentation
FBR-AH3Achromatic Half-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 1100 - 2000 nm
$363.50
Today
Back to Top

Achromatic Half-Wave Plate High-Precision Modules for FiberBench

  • Achromatic Half-Wave Plates Mounted in FiberBench-Compatible Housings
  • 360° Continuous Rotation
  • Engraved Scale with 2° Increments; Vernier Scale with 10 arcmin Resolution
  • ±5.5° Fine Adjustment

These half-wave plates are mounted in FBRP high-precision rotation mounts that provide 360° of continuous rotation and ±5.5° of fine adjustment. The mount's rotating cell has a knurled edge and 360° laser-engraved scale marked at 2° increments, and a Vernier scale provides a resolution of 10 arcmin. A screw on the side of the housing (0.028" hex) allows the fine adjustment to be engaged or disengaged. Once engaged, the fine adjuster be turned using a 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex key (included) for ±5.5° of precise angular adjustment with a resolution of 0.48° (28.8 arcmin) per revolution.

Item # FBRP-AH1a FBRP-AH2b FBRP-AH3c
AR Coating Range 400 nm - 800 nm 700 nm - 1200 nm 1100 nm - 2000 nm
Nominal Retardance λ/2
Retardance Accuracyd λ/40 λ/55 λ/71
Damage Threshold 5 J/cm2 (532 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.489 mm) 0.432 J/cm2 (797 nm, 180 fs, 1 kHz, Ø0.178 mm)
5 J/cm2 (810 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.157 mm)
5 J/cm2 (1542 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz, Ø0.189 mm)
Rotation 360° Continuous, ±5.5° Fine Adjustment
Performance Graphs (Click Icons to View)
Retardance (Theoretical) AHWP Retardance AHWP Retardance AHWP Retardance
Transmission AHWP Transmission AHWP Transmission AHWP Transmission
Angle of Incidence AHWP AOI AHWP AOI AHWP AOI
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • To view an Excel file with transmission, retardance, and AOI data for this wave plate, please click here.
  • Relative to the theoretical performance shown in the retardance graphs.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
FBRP-AH1 Support Documentation
FBRP-AH1Precision Achromatic Half-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 400 - 800 nm
$484.16
Lead Time
FBRP-AH2 Support Documentation
FBRP-AH2Customer Inspired! Precision Achromatic Half-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 700 - 1200 nm
$484.16
Lead Time
FBRP-AH3 Support Documentation
FBRP-AH3Precision Achromatic Half-Wave Plate Module for FiberBench, 1100 - 2000 nm
$484.16
Today