Buying Waveplates
Waveplates are birefringent optical elements used to alter the polarization state of light. The most common types are quarter waveplates (λ/4 plates) and half waveplates (λ/2 plates). For instance, a half waveplate can rotate a linear polarization state, while a quarter waveplate can generate circular polarization.
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Suppliers for Waveplates
97 suppliers for waveplates are listed in the RP Photonics Buyer's Guide, out of which 13 present their product descriptions. Both manufacturers and distributors can be registered.
Suppliers with Advertising Package
presenting their product descriptions
![]() Laser solutions for your µ tasks Workshop of Photonics | WOPUAB Altechna R&D Mokslininku St. 6A 08412 Vilnius Lithuania See us at LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (booth B3.413)! | ![]() WOP offers polarization converters which are exceptional for their ultra-high damage threshold, suitable even for high-power lasers. S-Waveplate converts linear polarization to radial or azimuthal polarization and circular polarization to an optical vortex. Main features:
Additional waveplate assortment:
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![]() Bringing quality into focus Knight Optical (USA) LLC1130 Ten Rod Road Suite D102 North Kingstown Rhode Island 02852 United States See us at LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (booth A3.533)! | ![]() Knight Optical offers a range of stock and custom waveplates. Our stock catalogue consists of zero and low order quartz waveplates, achromatic waveplates, mica retarders, and plastic retarders. With our custom capabilities we are able to offer a wider variety including multiple order waveplates. Product-specific web page |
![]() A635, Boke Mansion No. 9 Xiyuan Road Xihu District, Hangzhou 310030 China See us at LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (hall B1, booth 258)! | ![]() Hangzhou shalom EO offers an extensive range of off-the-shelf and custom waveplates and retarders including zero-order waveplates, true zero-order waveplates, achromatic waveplates, super achromatic waveplates, dual wavelength zero-order waveplates, low-order waveplates. These waveplates composed of quartz or MgF2 crystal plates enable unrestrained control of polarization states with the additional advantage of high damage threshold. While we also provide polymer true zero order waveplates that are less sensitive to the angles of incidence. The structures of the waveplates can be varied for different requirements, such air spaced, cemented, or optically contacted designs. Retardation values like quarter waveplates, half waveplates, λ/8, or other custom retardance are accessible. Different coatings, standard diameter 1/2”, 1” and 2” mounts, including manual rotation mounts are available. Fresnel rhombs that create uniform λ/4 or λ/2 retardance over a wider range of wavelengths than possible with birefringent waveplates are also procurable. Product-specific web page |
![]() (4Lasers) Mokslininku str. 6B 08412 Vilnius Lithuania | ![]() Optogama offers a wide range of precision-engineered waveplates, including crystalline quartz, achromatic (broadband), and mid-infrared options to meet diverse application requirements. Crystalline quartz zero-order waveplates—available as air-spaced half-wave and quarter-wave designs—are optimized for specific wavelengths within the 257–1550 nm range. The zero-order configuration ensures reduced sensitivity to temperature and wavelength fluctuations compared to multiple-order alternatives. Achromatic (broadband) waveplates are designed for stable performance across wider spectral ranges, covering bands from 460 nm to 1700 nm, and are available in both half-wave and quarter-wave versions. For mid-infrared applications, Optogama supplies monolithic, zero-order waveplates covering 2800–10600 nm (MWIR and LWIR). These are available with standard or custom retardance values and are well-suited for demanding IR systems. Product-specific web page |
![]() Optical components at better price SinoptixOffice 16 D, Yujia Mansion N° 1336 HuaShan Road Shanghai 200052 China See us at LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (booth B1.525)! | ![]() We offer flat windows waveplates. λ/2 and λ/4 waveplates, custom wavelengths and cuts. Product-specific web page |
![]() The Future Depends on Optics Edmund Optics101 East Gloucester Pike Barrington, NJ 08007 United States See us at OPIE 25 in Pacifico Yokohama, Japan, April 23–25 (booth F-32), CLEO 2025 in Long Beach (CA), USA, May 4–9 (booth 317), Automate 25 in Detroit (MI), USA, May 12–15 (booth 4400), SPS Italia in Parma, Italy, May 13–15 (hall 5, booth 055), LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (booth B1.416) and CLEO 2025 in Long Beach (CA), USA, May 4–9 (booth 317)! | ![]() Edmund Optics offers a variety of waveplates with crystalline or polymer materials, including multiple order, zero order, or achromatic waveplates. Polymer waveplates offer superior performance over a wider range of incidence angles. Multiple order waveplates are ideal for use with monochromatic light that deviates less than 1% of the waveplate’s design wavelength. Zero order retarders offer high performance over wider wavelength or temperature ranges. Achromatic waveplates offer the most constant performance over the widest wavelength or temperature ranges. Product-specific web page |
![]() YOUR KEY to innovation and success UltraFast Innovations GmbHDieselstr. 5 85748 Garching (München) Germany See us at LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (booth B1.543)! | ![]() AURORA, by UltraFast Innovations (UFI®), is a phase retarder (quarter waveplate) with a four-mirror grazing incidence reflection geometry for the extreme ultraviolet (XUV). It covers the range from 10 to 35 eV or 40 to 85 eV photon energy and reaches >25% transmittivity around 66 eV. A clear aperture of 3 mm allows the low divergent XUV from a high-harmonic-generation HHG cell to pass through without clipping. Product-specific web page |
![]() Lasers, Optics, Electronics. Made in Germany. ALPHALAS GmbHBertha-von-Suttner-Str. 5 37085 Göttingen Germany | ![]() ALPHALAS offers unique tunable and standard phase retardation plates (waveplates). A single UVIR type quarter-wave or half-wave plate can be adjusted to the desired phase retardation for an arbitrary wavelength from 150 nm (vacuum-UV) to 6500 nm (far infrared) and the FIR type waveplate from 1 μm to 21 μm. The bandwidth is up-to 200 nm. They replace hundreds of ordinary phase retardation plates required to cover these ultrawide spectral ranges. The tunable waveplates are by design zero-order and can be used for polarization control of broad-spectrum laser sources like femtosecond lasers and OPOs. Conventional zero-order, low-order and high-order waveplates for all standard wavelengths as well as customized designs and Fresnel rhombs are also available. Applications span from polarization measurement and control, polarimetry, laser research, spectroscopy up to nonlinear optics. Product-specific web page |
![]() Your sidekick for laser optics development OPTOMANUkmerges g. 427 14185 Vilnius Lithuania | ![]() OPTOMAN offers high quality zero-order air-spaced waveplates, that ensure precise and reliable polarization control across several wavelengths. These waveplates are engineered with an air-spaced design, which significantly enhances their performance by minimizing the impact of thermal effects, ensuring consistent operation even in demanding environments. The precision engineering of these waveplates allows for stable and reliable performance, making them perfect for a wide range of laser applications, including scientific research. In-stock waveplates can be found on OPTOSHOP. Product-specific web page |
![]() Your problem is our challenge – flexibility is our standard! Artifex Engineering GmbH & Co KGDortmunder Str. 16–18 26723 Emden Germany See us at LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (booth B2.230)! | ![]() Artifex Engineering offers a wide range of custom waveplates for many applications. Waveplates, also known as retardation plates, are birefringent optical elements. Our portfolio covers achromatic, low order, zero and true zero order and MID-IR waveplates. Mounts are available for our waveplates on request. For example, we can provide true zero order plates mounted on an annular glass frame. In this manner, a robust optic is available with the full optical properties of a true zero order waveplate. In addition to single components, we will gladly provide functional subunits according to your needs. For example, we can supply isolators comprising a quarter-waveplate and polarizing beamsplitter cube mounted together in a single drop-in unit. Visit our product page for more information on each waveplate. We look forward to your inquiry. Product-specific web page |
![]() 1100 US-22 North Plainfield, NJ 07060 United States See us at LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (booth B1.171B)! | ![]() Avantier produces microwaveplates with extremely small dimensions, as small as 0.35 mm × 0.35 mm, with a tolerance of ±0.05 mm and a thickness of about 0.19 mm. For more information on our manufacturing limits or to request custom specifications, please contact us. Product-specific web page |
![]() Your Custom Optics Expert Shanghai Optics Inc.425 Main St Suite 2E Metuchen, NJ 08840 United States |
Shanghai Optics manufacturers micro-waveplates as small as 0.35 mm × 0.35 mm with tolerance of ±0.05 mm and thickness about 0.19 mm. Please contact us for manufacturing limit or custom specifications. Product-specific web page |
![]() Your reliable partner for photonics innovations! EKSMA Optics, UABDvarcioniu St. 2B LT-10233 Vilnius Lithuania See us at LASER World of Photonics 2025 in Munich, June 24–27 (booth A2.107) and CLEO 2025 in Long Beach (CA), USA, May 4–9 (booth 205)! | ![]() We offer a wide choice of zero-order, multiple-order and low-order waveplates made from crystalline quartz. Also, we have dual-wavelength waveplates for Ti:sapphire, Yb:KGW/KYW and Nd:YAG lasers, and achromatic waveplates for tunable lasers. Product-specific web page |
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Other Suppliers
3L-Systems, LLC Korea |
3photon Lithuania |
3W Photonics United States |
Acal BFi Germany |
AceXon Singapore |
Advanced Thin Films United States |
Alien Photonics Lithuania |
Allied Scientific Pro Canada |
Altechna UAB Lithuania |
American Polarizers, Inc. United States |
Barnett Technical Services, LLC 8153 Elk Grove Blvd. United States |
Bernhard Halle Nachfolger GmbH Germany |
Bluebean Optical Tech Ltd. China |
CASTECH China |
CeNing Optics Co., Ltd China |
Claser Photonics Inc. China |
Comar Optics Ltd United Kingdom |
Conoptics United States |
Core Optronics Co., Ltd China |
CPG Optics China |
Crylight Photonics, Inc. China |
Cryslaser Inc. P.R. China |
Crysmit Photonics Co., Ltd. China |
Crystech Inc. China |
CVI Laser Optics United States |
Elliot Scientific Ltd. United Kingdom |
FICHOU France |
FOCtek Photonics, Inc. China |
Focus Technology Co., Ltd. China |
Fuzhou Caston Optronics Co., Ltd. China |
Fuzhou Hundreds Optics Inc. China |
He Rui Optics Co., Ltd. China |
Hellma GmbH Germany |
5th Floor, No. 19 Building China |
Holmarc Opto-Mechatronics India |
Inrad Optics United States |
InStockOptics Lithuania |
JG International China |
Karl Lambrecht Corporation United States |
Laser Research Optics |
Layertec GmbH Germany |
LC-Tec Sweden |
Leysop Ltd. United Kingdom |
Litech Optics Co., Ltd. China |
Luceo Co., Ltd. Japan |
Manx Precision Optics Isle of Man, IM9 2AP |
Meadowlark Optics, Inc. United States |
Meller Optics United States |
Metrolux Germany |
MLOPTIC Corp. China |
MOK Optics Co. Ltd. China |
Sichuan MetalMiracle Industry Corp. China |
Newlight Photonics Inc. Canada |
nortus Optronic GmbH Germany |
OptoCity United States |
Orientir, Inc China |
Phoenix Photonics Ltd United Kingdom |
Phosctech Photonics China |
Photonchina China |
Changchun Positive Optics Co., Ltd. China |
Prolog Optics Israel |
Rainbow Research Optics, Inc. United States |
Rising Electro-Optics Ltd. China |
Ross Optical United States |
Shangai Jingsheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. China |
Shenzhen Zentech Optics Ltd. China |
Sichuan MetalMiracle Industry Corp. China |
Sinoceramics (USA), LLC United States |
Sirah Lasertechnik GmbH Germany |
Solaris Optics S.A. Poland |
Fuzhou Solid Photon Inc China |
STANDA Ltd. Lithuania |
Tian Cheng Optic Co., Ltd. China |
Tempotec Optics Co., Ltd. China |
Tianjin Tengteng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. China |
Tokyo Instruments, Inc. Japan |
Topag Lasertechnik GmbH Germany |
Tower Optical Corporation United States |
ULO Optics Ltd. United Kingdom |
Ultra Photonics China |
Vision Lasertechnik für Forschung und Industrie GmbH Germany |
Wavelength Opto-Electronic (S) Pte Ltd Singapore |
WLoptical Co., Ltd. China |
Hangzhou Yong Hee Photonics Co., Ltd. China |