Remember, constructive and destructive superposition of waves?
Setting up a tabletop optics experiments is mostly optimizing alignment between different components (lasers, lenses and optical detectors etc), so you get the maximum power or the right kind of superposition. Alignment is linear (get the right distance between two components) or rotational (right angle). So you can build these linear/rotational mounts that will move/rotate your components precisely based on computer commands.
You can probably buy off the shelf robotics components off Alibaba that are better and cheaper at the same time. But I think distributed manufacturing is way cooler.
I believe these are used for laser and light experiments on an optical bench - a heavy desk with a pegboard-like top surface that holds lolipop-like lenses on sticks. Thorlabs is the Sigma-Aldrich or McMaster-Carr, or, Adobe, of the field.
For more complex applications such as telescope mounts there are DIY solutions as well https://github.com/polvinc/DHEM
Related to https://www.printables.com/model/277372-motorized-optical-mo...
Thanks. Can someone explain what these are typically used for or link to commercially available variants?
optical stages and alignment, sending beams of light to specific locations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_table
Optical suppliers are
https://www.edmundoptics.com/ (highly recommend ordering their catalog)
https://www.newport.com/g/optical-tables
https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=70...
Youtube channels on optics
https://www.huygensoptics.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@BreakingTaps
Man, Edmund Scientific is a throwback. They used to have an awesome surplus store in NJ full of all kinds of nerd stuff.
They are still around as
https://www.scientificsonline.com/ (Edmund's Scientific) though it is mostly k-8 science toys.
https://sciplus.com/ (Chicagoland)
https://www.surplusgizmos.com/ (Intel and Portland electronics surplus)
Remember, constructive and destructive superposition of waves?
Setting up a tabletop optics experiments is mostly optimizing alignment between different components (lasers, lenses and optical detectors etc), so you get the maximum power or the right kind of superposition. Alignment is linear (get the right distance between two components) or rotational (right angle). So you can build these linear/rotational mounts that will move/rotate your components precisely based on computer commands.
You can probably buy off the shelf robotics components off Alibaba that are better and cheaper at the same time. But I think distributed manufacturing is way cooler.
I believe these are used for laser and light experiments on an optical bench - a heavy desk with a pegboard-like top surface that holds lolipop-like lenses on sticks. Thorlabs is the Sigma-Aldrich or McMaster-Carr, or, Adobe, of the field.
They should use 3d printed flexures!