Birefringent optical elements with two optic axes, one fast and one slow. The incoming beam is separated into mutually orthogonal polarized beams that are recombined with a phase difference that is a function of the thickness of the material and the wavelength of the light. If the phase difference is exactly 1?4 cycle, the plate is called a quarter-wave plate. If the phase difference is exactly 1?2 cycle, the plate is called a half-wave plate.
SPHERICAL VS. ASPHERIC LENSES
HOW THEY’RE USED IN IMAGING APPLICATIONS
Optical Lenses are often categorized by their shape. Two common surface shapes are spherical and aspherical. Each offers unique characteristics that make it suitable for different use cases.