ALL WAVEPLATE ORDERS COMPARED: TRUE ZERO, ZERO, LOW & MULTI
Alien Photonics compares and explains all distinct waveplate orders. This guide clarifies what each order means and how it influences practical properties such as mechanical handling, thermal stability, LIDT, and overall performance.
True Zero Order vs Effective (Compound) Zero Order Waveplates
Zero order means exactly half or quarter wave retardation. Alien Photonics waveplates achieve that in two ways - the True Zero order (thin plate) and effective (or compound) zero order (two plates with net sum of zero order).
True Zero Order Waveplates
True Zero Order Waveplate is single ultra-thin birefringent plate that provides the exact retardation (λ/2 or λ/4) without additional orders. Extremely stable against temperature and wavelength shifts, and highly resistant to laser power. Alien Photonics offers these waveplates as mounted waveplate, optically contacted to a thicker substrate for easier handling, or left as a free-standing thin plate. When used as free-standing, the plate is extremely fragile because it is thin, so careful handling is required.
Compound (Effective) Zero order
Effective Zero Order Waveplate is made by combining two low-order or multi-order waveplates so that their retardations subtract, resulting in an effective zero-order plate. Hence the names - effective or compound. This design provides good retardation stability with significantly lower cost compared to true zero-order waveplates. Available mounted, glued, or optically contacted and special high-power option is air-spaced compound zero-order, where the two plates are separated by a small air gap.
Low Order vs Multiple Order Waveplates
Low order waveplate is special variant of Multiple order waveplate, meaning the order is low (first, second or similar).
Multiple Order Waveplates
Retardation is achieved by using a plate that is n times thicker than the required zero-order equivalent (where n is the order number). Multiple order waveplate is the most economical waveplate type among all Alien Photonics waveplates, but also the least accurate — highly sensitive to temperature, wavelength drift, and angle-of-incidence changes.
Low Order Waveplates
Low order waveplates, typically first-order at Alien Photonics, although second, third, or higher orders can be manufactured when required. These waveplates are thinner and more accurate than multi-order waveplates, offering better temperature and wavelength stability while remaining cost-efficient.
Temperature-Driven Retardance Changes by Waveplate Order
Retardation stability strongly depends on waveplate thickness. True zero-order waveplates are almost insensitive to temperature changes because the birefringent layer is extremely thin. Effective zero-order designs show slightly higher drift, but still remain stable for most laser systems. Low-order waveplates exhibit noticeable retardation shift as temperature changes, while multiple-order waveplates are the most sensitive - even a few degrees can move them off the nominal retardation.
This is why low- and multi-order waveplates are not recommended for precision or ultrafast applications.
Mechanical Stability of Different Waveplate Orders
Mechanical robustness also differs between waveplate orders - thicker and simpler construction waveplates (Low and multi order), tend to be more stable than glued, optically contacted or free standing ultra-thin plates.
True zero-order waveplates use an extremely thin birefringent plate, which makes them sensitive to handling unless they are optically contacted to a thicker substrate or mounted in a holder. Effective zero-order waveplates are mechanically stronger because they consist of two thick plates (glued or optical contact), while mounted air-spaced version is even more resistant to thermal and mechanical stress. Low-order waveplates offer good durability and are easy to mount, while multiple-order waveplates are the most mechanically stable simply because they are the thickest. For industrial use Alien Photonics recommend a properly mounted or contacted waveplate.
Clear Aperture Constraints Set by Waveplate Order
When selecting a waveplate, it’s important to keep the clear aperture larger than the beam diameter. True zero-order plates and effective zero-order designs typically have smaller usable apertures, because small thickness limits polishing precision of large aperture waveplates. Low-order and multi-order waveplates allow larger apertures more easily, but at the cost of stability and accuracy.
All Alien Photonics Waveplate Orders – Comparison Table
Let's make final comparison of the features related to waveplate order.
| Feature | True Zero | Effective Zero | Low | Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget-friendliness | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Construction | Single Plate | Two Plates | Single Plate | Single Plate |
| Ease of handling | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| LIDT* | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Thermal stability | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Low GDD | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
*- Air-spaced zero-order design has the highest LIDT
Practical Recommendations – Which Waveplate Order to Choose?
True Zero Order - suitable for state-of-the-art-systems, quantum experiments, ultrafast laser setups where high stability is required.
Effective Zero Order - best choice for most of the modern laser systems, including micromachining, medical and other laser systems.
Low Order - economical option when you need functional waveplate, when improved stability over multi-order is needed.
Multiple Order - cheap waveplate for alignment, simple lasers, education and similar applications.
If you’re unsure which waveplate type matches your laser system, share your wavelength, power level, and application — we will recommend the correct option or design a custom solution if required.
Contact us for consultation!