The low 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.
Low Order Waveplates are much better than the multi-order waveplates because of its thinner thickness(less than 0.5mm), better temperature(38degC), wave length(1.5nm) and incidence angle(4.5deg) bandwidth and high damage threshold. These properties make it widely used in common applications.

Diameter 0.5-inch, unmounted; Low-order (n<5); Quarter-wave or Half-wave;
P < 3 arc seconds; Retardation tolerance < Lambda/300; AR coating (R<0.25%)