Abstract We applied a Monte Carlo method — simulated annealing algorithm — to carry out the design of multilayer achromatic waveplate. We present solutions for three-, six- and ten-layer achromatic waveplates. The optimized retardance settings are found to be 89°51'39''±0°33'37'' and 89°54'46''±0°22'4'' for the six- and ten-layer waveplates, respectively, for a wavelength range from 1000 nm to 1800 nm. The polarimetric properties of multilayer waveplates are investigated based on several numerical experiments. In contrast to previously proposed three-layer achromatic waveplate, the fast axes of the new six- and ten-layer achromatic waveplate remain at fixed angles, independent of the wavelength. Two applications of multilayer achromatic waveplate are discussed, the general-purpose phase shifter and the birefringent filter in the Infrared Imaging Magnetograph (IRIM) system of the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). We also checked an experimental method to measure the retardance of waveplates.
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