A multi-order waveplate is fabricated by grinding and polishing a single piece of birefringent crystal to a specific thickness. Its total phase retardation includes not only the desired "basic retardation" but also an additional retardation of integer multiples of the wavelength. This means that a multi-order waveplate achieves the required basic retardation by incorporating "extra" integer multiples of the wavelength.
Low cost, high mechanical strength, and high damage threshold.
Narrow bandwidth, making it extremely sensitive to wavelength.
High temperature sensitivity.
Relatively low retardation accuracy.
| Material | Crystalline Quartz |
| Retardance Accuracy (Typical) | < λ/300 |
| Beam Deviation | < 10 arcsec |
| Diameter Tolerance | +0.0,-0.1mm |
| Transmitted Wavefront Error | λ/8@633nm |
| Surface Quality | 20-10 |
