Method and apparatus for use and construction of compensated higher order waveplates
US6934066B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/283
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A compensated higher order waveplate is constructed of substrates. In one embodiment, a first substrate is a nλ waveplate and the second substrate is a (n+Δ)λ waveplate. The substrates are oriented so that their principle axes of retardation are orthogonal. nλ is a base retardation of a waveplate and Δλ is an incremental retardation. The incremental retardation produces a desired amount of retardation of a lightwave passing through the compensated higher order waveplate. Retarder material used to produce the base retardation is approximately ½ a desired thickness of the waveplate. Multiple waveplates are combined to produce any of wavelength band specific retarders and multiple non contiguous wavelength band specific retarders.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.