A zero-order waveplate is a high-performance optical retarder whose key characteristic is that its optical delay is precisely equal to a small fraction of a wavelength, without any additional delay of integer multiples. It is typically constructed by cementing two multi-order waveplates together with their optical axes perpendicular to each other. The thickness difference between these two waveplates is precisely controlled so that their total retardation exactly equals the desired basic delay.
Wide bandwidth and high retardation accuracy.
Low temperature sensitivity.
High sensitivity to the angle of incidence and a relatively low LIDT.
| 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 |
