WPH05M-473 In Stock

The WPH05M-473 by ThorLabs is an advanced zero-order half-wave plate designed to achieve an optical path length difference of λ/2 by combining two Multi-Order Crystalline Quartz Wave Plates. The WPH05M-473 is constructed with precision using an etched spacing ring that is made of stainless steel and separates the multi-order wave plates, which are then epoxyed together. It should be noted that the adhesive is applied on the wave plate’s clear aperture on the outside only, ensuring that it does not interfere with the optical path.

The WPH05M-473 offers several advantages over multi-order wave plates, such as a lower dependence on temperature and wavelength. It is a Ø1/2" optic mounted in an SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) lens tube. The two polarizing plates are arranged in a way that their fast and slow axes correspond respectively, giving rise to a hybrid retarder. Its exact degree of attenuation is determined via the difference present in each plate's own degree of attenuation. The housing of the WPH05M-473 is engraved with a line that indicates the orientation of the fast axis of the wave plate, its wavelength, and the fact that it is a zero-order half-wave plate. The WPH05M-473 is highly versatile and can be threaded directly into SM05-threaded rotation mounts. It can easily be removed from its mount by using a spanner wrench to remove the retaining ring that secures the optic in the mount. This makes it ideal for use in custom or OEM applications where precision and flexibility are required.