31 Waveplate Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for waveplates as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 31 waveplate manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked waveplate companies as of November, 2024: 1.IDEX Optical Technologies, 2.ALPHALAS GmbH, 3.COE Optics.
Table of Contents
Categories Related to Waveplates
What Is a Waveplate?
A waveplate is an optical element that rotates the polarization plane of incoming light to output light of a different polarization.
Two types of waveplates are commonly used: 1/2 waveplates and 1/4 waveplates. The 1/2 waveplate shifts the phase of light by λ/2 and rotates the polarization plane when the wavelength of light is set to λ (read: lambda). In this case, the outgoing light remains linearly polarized.
A quarter-waveplate can convert linear polarization to circular polarization by shifting the phase by λ/4. Conversely, it is also possible to convert circular polarization to linear polarization.
Applications of Waveplates
Waveplates are frequently used in situations where optical instruments are handled, from academic to industrial applications. Waveplates are particularly useful for changing the direction of laser polarization and adjusting light intensity when using laser equipment.
For example, in processing lasers, quarter-waveplates are used to convert linear polarization into circular polarization, which is applied to cut uniform materials. In academic applications, the polarization plane of a laser can be adjusted with a half-waveplate or similar to gain a more detailed understanding of the dynamics of molecular vibration and dissociation. Control of the polarization direction is important because electronic and vibrational excitations of molecules interact with each other due to electric fields in specific directions.
Conversely, if you do not want to excite in a particular direction, use a quarter-waveplate to convert the light to circular polarization. Waveplates can also be used in devices that arbitrarily control the splitting of lasers; since the angle of linear polarization can be changed with a 1/2 waveplate, it can be combined with a beam splitter that splits the light according to polarization to create a device that can arbitrarily control the intensity of the separated beams.
Since the polarization of the divided beam is at right angles, it is necessary to use two mirrors to change the angle of polarization back, or to use a half-waveplate to change the angle of polarization again.
Principle ofWaveplate
Waveplates have an anisotropic refractive index, which means that the speed of light travels at different speeds depending on the direction of polarization, creating a phase difference. Therefore, it is possible to change the polarization plane of linearly polarized light passing through a waveplate or to make it circularly polarized. To begin with, polarized light is light in which the direction of oscillation in the electric or magnetic field is aligned in a constant direction. Natural light, such as the sun, has a random oscillation direction and is unpolarized, whereas artificially generated light, such as that produced by a laser, can be polarized.
Waveplates are materials that have different refractive indices, depending on the direction of polarization (birefringent materials), such as quartz. In general, the higher the refractive index of light traveling through a medium, the smaller the speed of light. Therefore, light traveling in the direction of the lower refractive index (advance phase axis) propagates through the material more quickly, while light traveling in the direction of the higher refractive index (slow phase axis) slows down.
These properties can be used to create a phase shift between polarization components. If an incident light beam with a certain angle to the advanced phase axis enters a waveplate, the light components (vectors) are decomposed into the advanced phase axis direction and the slow phase axis direction, resulting in a phase shift of the light. As a result, the polarization plane of the outgoing light is rotated.
Other Information on Waveplates
How to Use Waveplates
Waveplates are usually used in a holder whose rotation angle is known. The angle of the waveplate and the polarization angle of the laser beam determine the polarization angle of the laser after it passes through the waveplate. The rotary holder is useful because it allows the laser beam to be set to any desired angle of polarization after passing through it.
The polarization angle after passing through the laser can be calculated from the angle of the waveplate and the polarization angle of the laser. However, to actually check it, the light after passing through the waveplate is passed through a polarizer and the intensity of the light is observed. In this case, it is also possible to check by scattering the light on a piece of paper. However, care must be taken because the paper may burn or the scattered light may damage the eyes even if light-shielding glasses are used in the case of a high-intensity laser.
For a safer and more quantitative method, we recommend using a power meter or similar device to check for the highest intensity at any given angle.
List of 31 Waveplate Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Rocky Mountain Instrument Co.
Waveplates
Manufacturer Overview
Rocky Mountain Instrument Co. is a manufacturer of precision optics with a long history of experience in the optics and coatings industry. The company is based in Colorado, United States and is founded in 1957. The company products include optical components, high power coatings, and optical assemblies. The company specializes in precision optics that operate in the widest range of wavelengths from deep UV to far IR. RMI optics and coatings products are designed, manufactured, and tested.
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Ross Optical
LOW ORDER AND DUAL WAVELENGTH WAVEPLATES
Manufacturer Overview
Ross Optical is based in Texas, USA, and is a manufacturer of optical assemblies and components that was established in 1983 as a subsidiary of the Precision Optics Corporation. The company offers custom optics such as aspherical lenses, complex assemblies such as optical systems, and standard optics such as beamsplitters. It also offers a range of specialized coatings including Rmax and anti-reflection coatings. The company's products are mainly used by clients in the automation, defense, and aerospace industries.
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Tower Optical Corporation
Achromatic – Air Spaced – 12.7mm
Manufacturer Overview
Tower Optical Corporation is a provider and manufacturer of Precision optics, optical components and systems. The company is based in Florida, United States and was founded in 1978. The company products include Crystal Quartz Waveplates, Achromatic Waveplates (retarders), lenses, filters, and optical flats. The company stock and "build to spec" custom products are used in photonics technology, electro-optics, lasers, telecommunications, medical instruments, optical imaging and optical computing, and military systems. The company serves industries like aerospace, defense, medical, telecommunications, and more.
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Newport Corporation
Achromatic Waveplates
Company Overview
Newport is a division of MKS Instruments, Inc. that was incorporated in 1961 and headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts. The company is a manufacturing company that serves the specialty industrial, advanced electronics, and semiconductor industries. The company markets its products through Spectra-Physics, MKS Instruments, Richardson Grating, and other brands. Their product categories include motion, optomechanics, optics, and vacuum instruments. Product categories include lasers, MKS vacuum & gas solutions, laser diode controls, and tables & isolation systems.
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Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd.
Waveplates and Retarders
Manufacturer Overview
Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of industrial electro-optical products founded in 2010 and based in Zhejiang, China. The company produces various optics, substrates and crystals for use in the industrial sector. Its products include scintillation crystals for nuclear detection, infrared (IR) lenses for thermal imaging cameras, and crystals used in laser systems. The company's products are mainly used by clients in the laser and photonics, nuclear, and biological imaging sectors. It also offers engineering support for customers with unique projects.
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NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
Synthetic Quartz Crystal
Manufacturer Overview
NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD., founded in 1948, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, specializing in crystal-related products. The company’s product line includes crystal units and oscillators, synthetic quartz crystals, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors, and millimeter-wave converters. Additionally, the company provides frequency synthesizers, optical components, outgas analysis systems, signal generators, and ultrasound probe (transducers). These products cater to sectors like automotive, healthcare, household appliances, industrial equipment, and medical. Notably, its collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) resulted in the QCM Thermogravimetric Gas Analysis (QTGA) system for analyzing outgas emissions from organic materials in vacuum settings.
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Dexerials Corporation
Inorganic waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
Dexerials Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier of electronic materials and components for a wide range of industries, including automotive, consumer electronics, and telecommunications. Established in 2012 as a result of a merger between Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation and Toshiba Ceramics Co., Ltd. The company offers products such as adhesives, coatings, films, tapes, and thermal management materials, among others. One of their primary products is the Dexerials thermal management material, which is a highly efficient solution for thermal management in electronic devices. It is designed to dissipate heat generated by electronic components.
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Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Murata Manufacturing) was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Nagaokakyo, Japan. Murata Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and sells ceramic-based passive electronic components and solutions globally. The company operates through components, modules, and others segments, serving communications, mobility, industrial, healthcare, and personal electronics customers. They company's product offerings include noise suppression products, quartz devices,RFID devices, phase shifters, and wireless connectivity platforms. Services such as webinars and video library are also available for existing and potential customers alike.
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Crylink
Waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
Crylink, incubated by the Nanjing Advanced Laser Technology Research Institute and established in 2014 in Shanghai, China, is a specialist manufacturer of laser crystals and laser devices for commercial purposes. The company has three brands, including Crylink, Ulaser, and Meta-Laser, with its main production divided among these brands to include electro-optical products, laser markers, and crystal materials. It primarily produces components for research organizations and original equipment manufacturers that require ultra-minute markings on materials during the production process.
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COE Optics
Waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
COE Optics, founded in San Diego, CA, in 2008 is a manufacturer and supplier of optics and optical components. The company's product portfolio includes Laser Diode Optics, Achromatic Lenses, IR Windows, Corner Cube Retroreflectors, and Rod Lenses. Their products are used in test & measurement quality assurance applications, the automation of manufacturing processes, and research. The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building.
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Union Optic Inc.
Waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
U-Optics, a certified ISO 9001:2015 company. established in 2004 and is headquartered in Wuhan, China, is a manufacturer, and researcher of optical components and systems. Its product range includes photonic components, modules, and systems among many others. The company heads the development of cutting-edge photonic technologies, and its products are used in a wide range of applications, including telecommunications, medical imaging, and industrial automation. U-Optics has over 200 employees and operates in more than 20 countries across the globe. The company is devoted to serving customers from small quantity prototypes to mass production of precision optical components.
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CRYLIGHT PHOTONICS, INC.
Waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
Crylight Photonics, Inc., founded in 2004 and headquartered in Fujian, China, is a manufacturer of customized precision optical components and a provider of optical assemblies. The company's extensive product line includes machine vision lenses, automotive lenses, and intelligent home lenses. These products are used for optical reading devices, automotive cameras, and residential security devices. Its core areas of expertise include optical design, optical fabrication, and precision assembly for original equipment manufacturers.
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HG Optronics.,INC.
Waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
HG Optronics.,INC., established in 2008, is a chinese-based manufacturer of laser crystals,nonlinear crystals and optical components used in industrial and scientific research.. The company offers various optics including optical lens, prisms, windows, mirrors, and filters as well as polarization optics, waveplates, and cylindrical lens. It also offers various crystals including laser, window, NLO, diffusion bonded,and magneto-optical crystals. The company is also a service provider offering processing services involving cutting, grinding, polishing, coating, and diffusion bonding as well as coating service using EB, IBS and IAD coating techniques.
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CeNing Optics Co.,Ltd
Waveplates
Manufacturer Overview
CeNing Optics Co. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer of precision optical components that was established in 2004 in Fuzhou, Fujian, China. The company’s product lineup includes optical prisms such as penta prisms and right angle prisms, and optical lenses such as doublets and achromatic lenses. It also offers optical beam splitters, optical wave plates, and optical polarizers for ensuring lasers emit linearly polarized light without reflections. The company’s products are mainly used by clients whose operations heavily utilize optical communication, optical metrology, and optical imaging.
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CRYSTECH Inc.
Waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
Crystech Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of optics and crystals for the electro-optic industry that was established in Qingdao, China, in 2001. The company produces nonlinear optical crystals such as BBO and KTA, laser crystals such as Nd:YVO4 and CTH:YAG, and Q-switch crystals including DKDP and RTP. It also offers the tunable solid-state laser crystal Alexandrite, which is commonly used in scientific and industrial applications. The company’s products are mainly used in the medical and industrial sectors, as well as in research institutions.
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Hunan Dayoptics, Inc.
waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
Hunan Dayoptics, Inc. is an OHSAS 18001-certified manufacturer of optical components and parts that was established in 2005 in Changsha, Hunan, China. The company offers optical lenses such as plano-convex and bi-concave models, optical prisms such as penta or right angle types, and optical crystals such as KTP and Nd:YAG for creating lenses for medical equipment. It also offers custom design and development services for unique projects. The company’s products are commonly used in the laser, defense, and communication industries.
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Qioptiq Photonics GmbH & Co. KG
Waveplates & Retarders
Manufacturer Overview
Qioptiq Photonics GmbH & Co. KG is based in Göttingen, Germany, and is a photonics manufacturer that was founded in 2005 before being acquired by Excelitas Technologies Corp. in 2013. The company produces standard and custom optical systems, components, and software. These include fixed beam expanders, flat optical rail systems, and lens configuration software. The company also offers optical system and lens design, coating, and polishing services. Its products are used by clients in the semiconductor, defense, and research sectors.
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The Ealing Corporation
Waveplates
Manufacturer Overview
The Ealing Corporation is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is an American manufacturer of optical and opto-mechanical products that was founded in 1961 before being acquired by Hyland Optical Technologies in 2013. The company produces standard as well as custom opto-mechanical systems and components, as well as motion control products. These include beam splitters, laser diodes, and linear stages. Aside from its products, the company also offers electron microscope rental for its clients in the OEM, industrial, and research sectors.
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Foctek Photonics, Inc.
Waveplate
Manufacturer Overview
Foctek Photonics, Inc., founded in 2002 and headquartered in Fujian, China, is a manufacturer of optical components and related products. The company develops and produces precision optical components, precision optical lenses, and special custom optical lenses. Its precision optical lenses include 3MP and 5MP HD zoom security surveillance lens, 20MP machine vision lens, and ADAS lens. These products are used in precision instruments, medical, and automation equipment. The company holds ISO/TS16949 and ISO14001 certifications covering quality and environmental management.
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G&H
Waveplates
Manufacturer Overview
G&H, established in 1983 and headquartered in Edinburgh, UK, is a manufacturer of photonic components, modules, and systems. The company specializes in acousto-optics, fiber optics, electro-optics, precision optics, and crystal optics. Its product and service range includes photonic components, modules, and systems. G&H has over 200 employees and operates in more than 20 countries. The company's products are used in a wide variety of applications, including telecommunications, medical imaging, aerospace, defence and industrial automation.
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IDEX Optical Technologies
Waveplates
Manufacturer Overview
IDEX Optical Technologies, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, is a global manufacturer of optical components and assemblies. The company offers products that include retroreflectors, cylindrical lenses, and femtosecond components, as well as the design, engineering, and manufacture of its products for original equipment manufacturers. Its business units include advanced thin-film optical components, CVI infrared optics, and CVI laser optics. It also provides its manufacturing capabilities for semiconductors, space laser communications, and remote sensing.
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EKSMA Optics, UAB
ZERO ORDER OPTICALLY CONTACTED WAVE PLATES
Company Overview
EKSMA Optics, UAB, established in 1983 and based in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision optical components, optical systems, and similar products. The company fabricates optical components, nonlinear and laser crystals, and electro-optics and laser electronics. It also produces laser line components, opto-mechanical components, and optical systems. It uses electron evaporation, ion assistance deposition, thermal evaporation, and advanced ion beam sputtered technologies for the deposition of coatings on optical and crystal elements.
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Artifex Engineering GmbH & Co. KG
Waveplates
Company Overview
Artifex Engineering GmbH & Co. KG, a company established in 2001 and based in Emden, Niedersachsen, is a manufacturer and supplier of measuring instruments and optical components. Its specialization is manufacturing measuring instruments such as optical power meters, trans-impedance amplifiers, integrating spheres, and pulsed laser diode drivers. It also manufactures optical components, including beamsplitters, optical filters and lenses, polarization optics, laser lighthouses, and composite optics. The company has obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification. Its manufactured products are utilized for industrial and metrological industries across Germany and the UK.
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Photonchina
Waveplate
Company Overview
Photonchina Co. Ltd., established in 2003 and headquartered in Fuzhou, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision optics, crystals, and subassemblies. The company's product line includes waveplates, micro lenses, and Glan-type polarizers. It also offers a range of quartz waveplates that include true zero, half, and octadic waves. These products are widely used in laser technologies, telecommunication devices and equipment, and surveying equipment. The company offers custom design, engineering, and subassembly production and serves the original equipment manufacturers and private label orders.
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ALPHALAS GmbH
Waveplates
Company Overview
ALPHALAS GmbH is a manufacturer and supplier of lasers, optics, and laser-related electronics for education and research applications founded in 1997 by Prof. Dr. Krassimir Stankov and headquartered in Goettingen, Germany. The company’s product portfolio includes lasers, laser diodes & TEC drives, laser diagnostic tools, laser components & accessories, and polarization optics. Its laser portfolio included mode-locked, CW, and Q-switched diode-pumped solid-state lasers. in short pulses (subnanosecond, picosecond, and femtosecond) and microchip design. The company is also a service provider offering laser custom design & custom solutions, consulting, and contract research & development.
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CASTECH Inc.
Waveplates
Company Overview
Castech Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of optics and laser components for photonics applications that was established in 1990 in Fuzhou, Fujian, China. The company’s product lineup includes precision optical components for the display and semiconductor industries, such as aspherical lenses, beam splitters, and diffraction gratings. It also offers laser components for laser systems, such as photoelastic modulators and acousto-optic devices. The company is ISO 9001, IAFT 16949, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001-certified, and chiefly serves the semiconductor and telecom industries.
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Alien Photonics
Waveplates
Company Overview
Alien Photonics is Lithuanian provider of advanced optical products and solutions. We specialize in delivering complex, high-precision optical components tailored to the needs of universities, laser manufacturers, quantum photonics developers, and other cutting-edge photonics companies. Main product groups are Laser Optics (mirrors, beamsplitters, windows, prisms, … ), Polarizers (Waveplates, PBS Cubes, TFP plates, … ) and Lenses (from standard converging and diverging lenses to complex axicons and aspheres) Our mission is to be the trusted partner for organizations seeking innovative, reliable optical solutions that meet the highest standards of performance and quality. Cosmic Quality – Earthly Prices.
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3photon Ltd.
Waveplates
Company Overview
3photon Ltd. was established in 2017 in Verkiai, Vilniaus, Lithuania, as a nanotech researcher that offers laser optics, q-switch crystals, and polarizing optics. The product portfolio of the company includes LBO – Lithium triborate, DKDP Pockels cells, BBO – Barium borate, Thin film polarizers (TFP), and GaSe – Gallium selenide, among others. The products are employed across diverse industries, encompassing industrial laser processing, medical applications, experimental research, and advanced optical setups, to ensure precision and functionality in various optical and laser systems. The company serves various industries, including photonics, optoelectronics, manufacturing, medical, research and development, and aerospace.
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Tokyo Instruments, Inc
Ultrawideband polymer waveplate
Distributor Overview
Tokyo Instruments, Inc., established in 1981, and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of opto-electronics products and systems. The company offers a wide range of products, including laser processing machines, aligning systems, photodetectors, analyzers for photoelectron spectroscopy, and spectroscopy array detectors. Also offered are high-speed, high-sensitivity cameras in UV to IR, and photon detectors or counters. The company's product families consist of the Nanofinder series of 3D Laser Raman Microspectroscopy systems and the iDus Workhorse laboratory and OEM CCD platform for low-light spectroscopy.
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Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd
Wave plate
Distributor Overview
Founded in Mumbai, India in 2006, Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015 & GMP certified chemical manufacturing company and distributor. Otto Chemie serves customers in many industries including agriculture and food processing, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, cement, as well as educational and R&D industries. Product offerings include antibiotics, amino acids, vitamins, detergents, ionic liquids, materials science compounds, labware, oil, metal & ceramic science compounds and tools, oils, reagents, solvents.
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Waveplate Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IDEX Optical Technologies |
5.9%
|
| 2 | ALPHALAS GmbH |
5.9%
|
| 3 | COE Optics |
5.9%
|
| 4 | Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co., Ltd. |
4.7%
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| 5 | Artifex Engineering GmbH & Co. KG |
4.7%
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| 6 | Newport Corporation |
4.7%
|
| 7 | CeNing Optics Co.,Ltd |
3.5%
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| 8 | Photonchina |
3.5%
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| 9 | CRYLIGHT PHOTONICS, INC. |
3.5%
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| 10 | EKSMA Optics, UAB |
3.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the waveplate page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 77,581
- NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.: 2,378
- Dexerials Corporation: 1,943
Newly Established Company
- Alien Photonics: 2024 (0 years ago)
- Crylink: 2014 (10 years ago)
- HG Optronics.,INC.: 2008 (16 years ago)
Company with a History
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 1944 (80 years ago)
- NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.: 1948 (76 years ago)
- G&H: 1948 (76 years ago)
Waveplate Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Waveplate Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
7 | 33.3% |
United States of America
|
4 | 19.0% |
Japan
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4 | 19.0% |
Lithuania
|
3 | 14.3% |
Germany
|
2 | 9.5% |
India
|
1 | 4.8% |
List of Waveplate Products
4 products are listed.
NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
Crystal wavelength plate for high output laser high output laser
40+ people viewing
■ Applications ・ Semiconductor exposure device ・ High output laser, etc. ■ Features ・ The highest-purity artificial crystal “N-Grade EX” with e...
NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
Optical product crystal wavelength plate
120+ people viewing
■ Applications ・ Various measuring instruments ・ LN modulator ・ Smart glass ■ Features ・ It is a high -quality crystal wavy plate that uses ar...
