Bolder Vision Optik, Inc.
Technical Polarization
303.440.3327
[email protected]
www.boldervision.com

BVO Achromatic Waveplate Family

Visible 400–750 nm & NIR 600–1600 nm  |  Quarter & Half Wave  |  ±0.01 waves  |  True Zero Order
Bolder Vision Optik manufactures five broadband achromatic retarders covering visible and NIR — three quarter waveplates (QWP) and two half waveplates (HWP). All are true zero order multi-layer fused polymer construction with no adhesive bonding. Off-shelf 25.4mm OD glass-laminated components and free-standing film (FSA) for OEM integration. Custom apertures to 100mm OD available. All QWPs convert linear to circular polarization; all HWPs rotate the plane of polarization by twice the optic axis angle.

Quarter Waveplates (QWP) — Linear to Circular Polarization

QWP Visible
Broadband Visible — Flagship
400 – 750 nm
BVO's broadband visible QWP. Full visible band in one element. Multi-layer fused polymer. AR/VR, optical isolation, laser cavity, ellipsometry, micro display.
Tolerance
±0.01 waves
Film Thickness
0.35mm
Off-Shelf Price
$595 / 25.4mm OD
Full Specs →
QWP Compact
Lowest Cost Visible QWP
410 – 640 nm
Lowest cost broadband visible QWP. Single modified polymer film at 0.07mm thin. Narrower bandwidth than AQWP3 at lower price. Micro display, wearables, compact OEM.
Tolerance
±0.02 waves
Film Thickness
0.07mm
Off-Shelf Price
$495 / 25.4mm OD
Full Specs →
QWP NIR
Broadband NIR — Full NIR Band
700 – 1600 nm
Broadband NIR QWP covering the full NIR and SWIR band in one element. Visible wavelength overlap. Covers silicon and InGaAs detector bands (700–1700nm), LIDAR wavelengths (905nm, 1064nm, 1550nm), and fiber optic bands. Multi-layer fused polymer, 0.55mm film.
Tolerance
±0.01 waves
Film Thickness
0.55mm
Off-Shelf Price
$595 / 25.4mm OD
Full Specs →

Half Waveplates (HWP) — Polarization Rotation

HWP Visible
Broadband Visible
425 – 750 nm
Broadband visible HWP. Rotates plane of polarization by 2× optic axis angle — 90° at 45°. Multi-layer fused polymer. Micro display, white light, analytical instrumentation, laser polarization rotation.
Tolerance
±0.01 waves
Film Thickness
0.35mm
Off-Shelf Price
$595 / 25.4mm OD
Full Specs →
HWP NIR
Broadband NIR
600 – 1100 nm
Broadband NIR HWP with visible overlap from 600nm. Rotates NIR polarization by 2× optic axis angle. NIR imaging, NIR instrumentation, NIR laser rotation, fiber optics, LIDAR at 905nm and 1064nm.
Tolerance
±0.01 waves
Film Thickness
0.35mm
Off-Shelf Price
$595 / 25.4mm OD
Full Specs →

Which Waveplate? — Application Selector

If your application needs...ChooseWhy
Circular polarization 400–750 nmAQWP3Full visible QWP — single element, ±0.01 waves
Circular polarization 410–640 nm, cost sensitiveAQWP2Lowest cost visible QWP — $100 less than AQWP3
Miniaturized / wearable display opticsAQWP20.07mm ultra-thin film — smallest profile in BVO line
AR/VR circular polarizationAQWP3Full visible band 400–750 nm, ±0.01 waves, 99% Tp
NIR circular polarization 700–1600 nmAQWP6Only NIR QWP covering full NIR to 1600 nm
NIR optical isolation / laser cavityAQWP6Covers 905nm, 1064nm, 1310nm, 1550nm in one element
Polarization rotation 90° — visibleAHWP3Broadband visible HWP — 425–750 nm, ±0.01 waves
Polarization rotation 90° — NIRAHWP6Broadband NIR HWP — 600–1100 nm, ±0.01 waves
Multi-wavelength visible laser systemAHWP3One HWP covers 445, 532, 633, 660, 750nm simultaneously
LIDAR polarization at 905nm or 1064nmAQWP6 or AHWP6Both cover 905nm and 1064nm — QWP for circular, HWP for rotation

Common Specifications — All Waveplates

ParameterAll Variants (except AQWP2 where noted)
Retardance Tolerance±0.01 waves (AQWP2: ±0.02 waves)
Internal Transmittance99%
ConstructionMulti-layer fused polymer — no adhesive bonding
Standard OD25.4mm OD ± 0.20mm
Clear Aperture80% (20mm)
Acceptance Angle±15 degrees
Optic Axis Stability≤2 degrees
Wavefront Distortionλ/4 at 632nm
SubstratesBK-7, grade-A, fine annealed
Surface Quality (Component)40-20 Scratch-Dig
Surface Quality (Film)60-40 Scratch-Dig
Temperature Range−20°C to 60°C
Damage Threshold500 W/cm² CW  |  0.3 J/cm² @ 10ns, 523nm
Environmental (Film)60°C / 90% RH / 1000h  |  80°C dry 1000h  |  −30°C dry 1000h  |  −20 to 75°C cycling ×100
PSA ConversionAvailable on all variants
Max OD Custom100mm OD — contact BVO
Custom CuttingOEM wafer slicing, .dxf routing, die cutting
Index of Refraction1.58

Contact Bolder Vision Optik

Bolder Vision Optik, Inc. 5445 Conestoga Ct. Suite 135, Boulder, CO 80301, USA

Phone: 303.440.3327
Email: [email protected]
Website: boldervision.com/waveplates/