A wave plate, also known as a retarder, is an optical device that alters the polarization state of a light wave travelling through it. It is a birefringent material, which means it has different refractive indices along different axes. Wave plates are used extensively in various optical applications, from microscopy to telecommunications.

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In summary, wave plates are intricate components that play a crucial role in controlling light polarization, thus enabling advancements in numerous optical technologies.

The Bausch & Lomb 10X Hastings Triplet Loupe is the magnifier of choice for grading diamonds and other gems.  The reasons is because it is highly color corrected to eliminate color fringes above/below or to the left/right of a high contrast object, like a gemstone.  In the jewelry trade, it is accepted that a diamond is considered flawless if imperfections cannot be seen at 10X magnification with a triplet loupe.

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Three separate lenses are bonded together to form a compound Hastings Triplet Loupe lens which virtually eliminates distortion at the outer edges of the magnifier.  The compound lens is housed in a black plastic frame which is designed not to reflect light onto the object being viewed.  The case is nickel plated and serves both as a handle and as a dust protector.  This is the quintessential jewelers loupe.

When a light wave enters a wave plate, it splits into two polarized waves: the ordinary ray (o-ray) and the extraordinary ray (e-ray). These rays travel at different speeds due to the varying refractive indices along the axes of the birefringent material. As a result, one of the waves gets delayed or 'retarded' with respect to the other. When these two waves recombine as they exit the wave plate, the phase difference between them changes the polarization state of the light.