Low(multiple) order waveplate is designed to give a retardance of several full waves, plus the desired fraction. This result in a single, physically robust component with desired performance. However, even small changed in wavelength or temperature will result in significant changes in the desired fractional retardance. They are less expensive and find use in many applicatios where the increased sensitivities are not an important.

This type of zero order waveplate is designed for high damage threshold applocation (more than 1GW/cm2).

A quarter- or half-wave retarder made from two plates of quartz with their fast axes crossed, the difference in thickness between the two plates determines the retardance. Zero-order retarders provide accurate retardance over a broad range of wavelength and are more durable than single-element retarders.

Due to the rotation activity of natural quartz crystal, it also can be used as polarization rotators so that the plane of input linearly polarized beam will be rotated at special angle which is determined by the thickness of quartz crystal.