Standard polarization components: progress toward an optical retardance standard

NIST is developing a quarterwave linear retarder designed to have a retardance stable within 0.1 degree(s) over a variety of operational and environmental conditions. In this paper we review several design strategies and early results of this effort. These have led to a promising prototype design consisting of a double rhomb TIR retarder constructed from a low stress- optic glass. We also review several measurement methods that are used in our evaluations.