The present invention relates to a numerous user laser communications optical system. Numerous optical signals comprising a number of channels are simultaneously received and demultiplexed (and/or multiplexed and transmitted) at a numerous access communication device. The numerous access communication device may comprise multiple stages that each include a multiple order waveplate and a polarizing beam splitter. The multiple order waveplate is configured so that it retards a first electrical field component of signals corresponding to certain channels in a frequency grid in an integer multiple of wavelengths with respect to a second electrical field component, and retards a first electrical field component of signals corresponding to other channels in the frequency grid in an integer multiple of wavelengths plus one-half a wavelength with respect to a second electrical field component. Separation can then be performed on the basis of the resulting opposite polarization.