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A white gloved hand holding an example of Glass Quarter Wave & Half Wave Retarders | American Polarizers, Inc.

Glass Quarter Wave, Half Wave & Full Wave Plates

API quarter wave, half wave, and full wave plates (retarders) are chromatic single layer polycarbonate films for great performance and clarity. Waveplates are birefringent materials that alter (retard) the polarization state or phase of light traveling through them.

Our wave retarders feature uniform birefringence, very low haze, good environmental stability and excellent wide-angle viewing performance. We also offer a high performance near achromatic (450-700nm) quarter wave plates. In addition, API also laminates our polymer wave retarder films to acrylic substrates.

  • 1/4 wave, 1/2 wave and full wave
  • Excellent clarity and uniform birefringence
  • In-stock or custom shapes and sizes
  • High performance near achromatic quarter wave plate available

Want to learn more? See how waveplates and retarders work.

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