|
| Half Waveplates |
Half wave plates are convenient means for reorienting the polarization
in order to meet the requirements for a particular optical configuration,
without rotating the laser. Half wave plates convert left circularly
or elliptically polarized beams into right circularly or elliptically
polarized light, and vice versa.
The thickness of a half waveplate is such that the phase difference
is 1/2-wavelength (true-zero order) or some multiple of 1/2-wavelength
(multiple order).
A linearly polarized beam incident on a half waveplate emerges
as a linearly polarized beam but rotated such that its angle
to the optical axis is twice that of the incident beam. Therefore,
half-waveplates can be used as continuously adjustable polarization
rotators. Half-waveplates are used in rotating the plane of
polarization, electro-optic modulation and as a variable ratio
beamsplitter when used in conjunction with a polarization cube.
|
| |
| |
|
