Circular Optics Kinematic Mirror Mount
These Kinematic Mounts offer affordable cost effective solution, for medium to light duty application in routine laboratory applications. The mounts are used to hold and fine align (tip-tilt) circular optics/ mirrors. The kinematic mounts have a movable front plate, that holds the mirror and a fixed back plate, that holds the actuators. Two plates are retained in contact by stiff springs. The mounts maintain position once aligned, for a good amount of time.
The mirror sits on the retainer flange of the front plate. The mirror is securely held by three point contact on periphery. Two nylon rods and a nylon tipped grub screw holds the mirror in place. The fixed back plate holds the actuators, that are used to tip-tilt the optics. The actuators are available in various resolution and configuration. The actuators are available either as Lead Screw or as graduated Micrometer head.
These kinematic mount offer cost effective solution for light to medium duty application. For high precision, demanding application we recommend use of precision series kinematic mounts.
Application Notes
- Kinematic mount offers provision for easy alignment. The mirror when tip/ tilted shall steer/ align the beam.
- Fine alignment is possible with fine pitch screws. Fine pitch (100 TPI) screws are operated using a hex-wrench. This offers greater sensitivity in alignment.
- These mounts are suited for routine light to medium duty application.i.e. typically laboratory application of beam alignment on optical table, with low vibration and smaller duty cycles.
- For larger duty cycles or for high ambient vibrations, we recommend using our heavy duty/ high precision kinematic mounts. Applications like interferometry, delay lines or lasers demand precision kinematic.
- The mounts work well when mirror is vertical or when mirror is looking upwards. Ensure mirror weight is within recommended limits, when mirror is facing downwards. Also ensure secure mounting of mirror when mirror is looking downwards. This note is more applicable for large diameter mirrors.
- Major disadvantage of Kinematic Mount is that the center of the mirror translates along the axis, when the mirror is tipped or tilt. Use a Gimbal Mount if this is a major concern.
Specification
Material: Aluminium Alloy (Black anodozed)
Actuators: Micrometers/ Lead screws
Screw pitch options: 50TPI (0.5mm), 80TPI, 100TPI
Sensitivity: 4 arcsec typical (see details in product data sheet)
Angular range: +/- 4 degrees
Mounting Orientation: Horizontal and Vertical.
Mounting: M6 tapped hole for post/ base mounting.
High tension spring for greater stability.
Mirror holding: three point contact (two nylon rollers and a grub screw)
Grub screw: M3 nylon tipped for diameter 50mm and below.
Spring loaded nylon tipped M6 screw for larger diameters.
Actuators: Micrometers/ Lead screws
Screw pitch options: 50TPI (0.5mm), 80TPI, 100TPI
Sensitivity: 4 arcsec typical (see details in product data sheet)
Angular range: +/- 4 degrees
Mounting Orientation: Horizontal and Vertical.
Mounting: M6 tapped hole for post/ base mounting.
High tension spring for greater stability.
Mirror holding: three point contact (two nylon rollers and a grub screw)
Grub screw: M3 nylon tipped for diameter 50mm and below.
Spring loaded nylon tipped M6 screw for larger diameters.
Tips for Use
- Kinematic mounts have M6 tapped hole on the pack plate for post mounting.
- It is recommended to use Post diameter 25mm for optics above 50mm, for better stability.
- Use Base Plates for optics diameter above 100mm.
- Mount the mirror using grub screw, very carefully. Undue tightening may deform the mirror. Mounting stresses may introduce aberrations in the reflected beam of a mirror. Mounting stresses cause aberration due to photo-elasticity in case of lenses/ refractive optics.
- Select suitable actuator. Use micrometer, when visual aid is required. Lead screws with 0.5mm pitch are cost effective and rugged. Lead screws with 80TPI are available with thimble. Lead screws with 100 TPI are usually operated with Hex wrench. Use 100TPi only when high sensitivity is required.
- Large diameter optics mounts usually have high sensitivity. It is recommended to use 0.5mm pitch or 80TPI lead screws for greater stability.
Product Matrix
Kinematic Mirror Mount for diameter 25 mm
| Quantity | Doc | Part Number | Optics Diameter (mm) | Clear Aperture (mm) | Actuator Type | Resolution | Angular Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-SA-LS-05-AL-R1-R | 25 | 23 | Leadscrew | 50 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-03-AL-R1-R | 25 | 23 | Leadcsrew | 80 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-02-AL-R1-R | 25 | 23 | Leadscrew | 100 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-MM-05-AL-R1-R | 25 | 23 | Micrometer | 50 TPI | +/- 4° |
Kinematic Mirror Mount for diameter 38 mm
| Quantity | Doc | Part Number | Optics Diameter (mm) | Clear Aperture (mm) | Actuator Type | Resolution | Angular Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-SA-LS-05-AL-R15-R | 38 | 36 | Leadscrew | 50TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-03-AL-R15-R | 38 | 36 | Leadscrew | 80 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-02-AL-R15-R | 38 | 36 | Leadscrew | 100 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-MM-05-AL-R15-R | 38 | 36 | Micrometer | 50 TPI | +/- 4° |
Kinematic Mirror Mount for diameter 50 mm
| Quantity | Doc | Part Number | Optics Diameter (mm) | Clear Aperture (mm) | Actuator Type | Resolution | Angular Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-SA-LS-05-AL-R2-R | 50 | 48 | Leadscrew | 50 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-03-AL-R2-R | 50 | 48 | Leadscrew | 80 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-02-AL-R2-R | 50 | 48 | Leadscrew | 100TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-MM-05-AL-R2-R | 50 | 48 | Micrometer | 50 TPI | +/- 4° |
Kinematic Mirror Mount for diameter 75 mm
| Quantity | Doc | Part Number | Optics Diameter (mm) | Clear Aperture (mm) | Actuator Type | Resolution | Angular Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-SA-LS-05-AL-R3-R | 75 | 72 | Leadscrew | 50 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-03-AL-R3-R | 75 | 72 | Leadscrew | 80 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-02-AL-R3-R | 75 | 72 | Leadscrew | 100 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-MM-05-AL-R3-R | 75 | 72 | Micrometer | 50 TPI | +/- 4° |
Kinematic Mirror Mount for diameter 100 mm
| Quantity | Doc | Part Number | Optics Diameter (mm) | Clear Aperture (mm) | Actuator Type | Resolution | Angular Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-SA-LS-05-AL-R4-R | 100 | 95 | Leadscrew | 50 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-03-AL-R4-R | 100 | 95 | Leadscrew | 80 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-02-AL-R4-R | 100 | 95 | Leadscrew | 100 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-MM-05-AL-R4-R | 100 | 95 | Micrometer | 50 TPI | +/- 4° |
Kinematic Mirror Mount for diameter 125 mm
| Quantity | Doc | Part Number | Optics Diameter (mm) | Clear Aperture (mm) | Actuator Type | Resolution | Angular Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-SA-LS-05-AL-R5-R | 125 | 120 | Leadscrew | 50 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-03-AL-R5-R | 125 | 120 | Leadscrew | 80 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-02-AL-R5-R | 125 | 120 | Leadscrew | 100 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-MM-05-AL-R5-R | 125 | 120 | Micrometer | 50 TPI | +/- 4° |
Kinematic Mirror Mount for diameter 150 mm
| Quantity | Doc | Part Number | Optics Diameter (mm) | Clear Aperture (mm) | Actuator Type | Resolution | Angular Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-SA-LS-05-AL-R6-R | 150 | 145 | Leadscrew | 50 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-03-AL-R6-R | 150 | 145 | Leadscrew | 80 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-02-AL-R6-R | 150 | 145 | Leadscrew | 100 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-MM-05-AL-R6-R | 150 | 145 | Micrometer | 50 TPI | +/- 4° |
Kinematic Mirror Mount for diameter 200 mm
| Quantity | Doc | Part Number | Optics Diameter (mm) | Clear Aperture (mm) | Actuator Type | Resolution | Angular Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-SA-LS-05-AL-R8-R | 200 | 190 | Leadscrew | 50 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-03-AL-R8-R | 200 | 190 | Leadscrew | 80 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-LS-02-AL-R8-R | 200 | 190 | Leadscrew | 100 TPI | +/- 4° | |||
| KMC-SA-MM-05-AL-R8-R | 200 | 190 | Micrometer | 50 TPI | +/- 4° |