OpticalSubsystems

Just as electronic breadboards often rely on integrated circuits (notably OpAmps), external power, and test equipment, optical tables also benefit from more than simple packaged lenses. Here we document the optical tools available at HacDC, many of which are self-made.

Tools

Complex drop-in optical systems, ready to create or analyze complex light fields.

WideBeam Collimated Light Source

A wide beam of high-intensity collimated light is useful for manually checking the results of complicated optical beampaths. Work in progress for 2" and 8" optical table axis compatible modules.

DLP Light Structuring

HacDC has access to some DLP projectors, absent working light sources. These can be used as re-configurable image sources and high-speed light gates.

Fixtures

Generic mounting hardware.

Tilt and Roll Platform

Even if we could afford them, commercial systems are too expensive to permanently dedicate to completed projects (~$500). Instead, we will 3D print or laser-cut a screw-adjusted spring-loaded platform, much the same as the adjustable bed used by many 3D printers.

Adapters

Mounts made to mount optical rails and cages to the table.

Standards

External

Standards set for us by manufacturers.

• Tapped holes, ¼-20" UNC on a 1" (25.4 mm) grid. May be compatible with M6 on a 25 mm grid for optical systems with non-critical dimensions. (TODO: Verify our table is imperial, not metric.)
• Standard optical axis heights include 330mm/13", and possibly 1.15", 1.75", 2", 3.38", 4.5", 6.25", 8" http://www.edmundoptics.co.uk/optomechanics/optical-mounts-plates/lens-mounts/optical-cell-kinematic-mounts/2592.
• Cage square lengths include at least 16mm, 30mm, 60mm.

Internal

Standards we have elected to follow from the above, or have established ourselves, as we build our own tooling.

mirage335

Optical Table Axis Heights

Element Size	Height	Comments
Small	2"	Intended for lenses up to 1" high, including salvaged projector, disposable camera, and microscope components.
Large	8"	Accommodates larger lenses, particularly for light gathering and projection systems.
ExtraLarge	13"	Accommodates modest Fresnel lenses.

Optical Rail Axis Heights

Element Size	Height
Small	1.15"
Large	6.25"

Optical Cage Square Lengths

Element Size	Height
Small	30mm/1.1811"
Medium	60mm/2.3622"
Large	6.25"

Reference

• Printed Breadboard - http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:9040
• Aluminum Angle Mounts - http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38062
• Lens Mount - http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:26752/#files http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:62693/#files
• OpenSource Optics - http://www.appropedia.org/Open_source_optics