A leading laser micromachining systems manufacturer faced a recurring issue: waveplates in their laser systems were degrading too quickly, undermining the long-term stability of polarisation control in ultrafast laser beam paths. Their requirement was clear – all optical components must last at least five years to ensure the machine’s reliability.
OPTOMAN responded by investing in targeted R&D to develop a new generation of IBS-coated waveplates designed specifically for high-duty-cycle ultrafast applications. These waveplates deliver:
- Femtosecond durability, verified at 300 kHz rep rates
- Glue-free mechanical mounting, eliminating stress and outgassing issues
- IBS anti-reflective coatings with <0.1% reflectance, ensuring maximum efficiency
The result is a waveplate platform that sets a new durability benchmark in the field and directly addresses customer demand for long-lasting, maintenance-free optics.
Waveplates are essential optical components for controlling polarization. By introducing a precise phase shift between orthogonal polarisation components, they enable critical functions such as converting linear to circular polarisation, rotating the polarisation axis, or fine-tuning polarisation for high-precision laser setups.
They play a key role in ultrafast and high-power laser systems, including:
- Beam steering and attenuation through polarisation rotation.
- Frequency conversion stages (SHG, THG, OPA/OPCPA).
- Pulse compression and amplification, where polarisation stability is vital.
- Scientific, medical, and defense laser applications that demand reliable polarisation control.
OPTOMAN’s IBS Waveplates combine these design advantages with outstanding performance, making them ideal for material processing and other high-energy applications.
Read more here
Contact: Lukas Ceizaris