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Fixed Collimator Mounting Adapters![]()
AD10NT SM05PT AD11F AD1109F Application Idea AD9.5F Adapter with a CFC-2X-A Collimator, RMS11P AD57F ![]() Please Wait Features
These fixed collimator adapters are designed to facilitate the integration of fiber optic or cylindrical components into free-space optical setups (or vice versa). We offer adapters that feature external SM05 (0.535"-40), SM1 (1.035"-40), or RMS (0.800"-36) threading as well as adapters that have a smooth 1/2" or 1" outer diameter. The threaded adapters are compatible with our lens tube systems, cage systems, and numerous components in our product line. These non-kinematic unthreaded adapters are best suited for use in kinematic mirror mounts, allowing a collimated beam to be steered by the mount. Each adapter is designed so that the optical axis of the collimator will be centered with respect to the outer diameter of the adapter. In addition to these fixed adapters, we offer smooth bore and SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) kinematic collimator adapters with pitch and yaw adjustment for Ø8 mm, Ø11 mm, or Ø12 mm cylindrical components. We also offer a post-mountable kinematic mount for Ø11 mm cylindrical components, which is part of our Mini-Series line. ![]() Click to Enlarge AD11NT Adapter Used to Mount a F671SMA-405 Fiber Collimator in a KM100 Kinematic Mirror Mount ![]() Click to Enlarge AD11BA Ø1/2" Adapter Used to Mount a CPS650F Diode Module into a POLARIS-K05 Mirror Mount ![]() Click to Enlarge AD12F Adapter Used to Mount an F240SMA-A Collimator with Attached Fiber Patch Cable in a 30 mm Cage System Insights into Best Lab PracticesScroll down to read about a practice we follow when setting up lab equipment.
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Fiber Collimators: Tip for Mounting with Adapters![]() Click to Enlarge Figure 1: The components shown above are joined using threaded interfaces. Since unscrewing the fiber connector could unintentionally loosen connections between the other components, Thorlabs suggests applying epoxy to the other two interfaces to immobilize them. Fiber collimators are often used to introduce light into an optical setup from a fiber coupled source. Thorlabs offers a variety of fiber collimator packages, some only provide a smooth barrel (like the triplet collimators) and others have a metric thread at the end of the barrel (like the asphere collimators). For both packages, Thorlabs typically suggests the use of an adapter with a nylon tipped set screw that holds the barrel against a two line contact. Adapters for the external thread are available (AD1109F) that allow the user to thread the fiber collimator into a mount. However, the use of these adapters results in a stack up of threaded interfaces (threaded fiber connector, threaded collimator, and threaded adapter). As a result, it is possible that unscrewing the fiber connector could inadvertently loosen another thread interface and create an unknown source of instability in the setup. For this reason, Thorlabs suggests epoxying the threaded fiber collimators into the threaded mounts if that mounting mechanism is preferred. Figure 1 indicates the assembly order and places to apply the epoxy. Date of Last Edit: Dec. 4, 2019
![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge AD12BA Adapter Used to Mount an F240FC-A Collimation Package into a Ø1/2" KM05 Mirror Mount ![]() Click for Details An Engraved Dot Opposite to the Slot Indicates the Region where the Adapter Should be Clamped
These collimator adapters are designed to mount Ø11 mm or Ø12 mm fixed collimation packages in Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) smooth bore mounts. Each adapter has a split bushing design with a smooth bore center hole and an unthreaded 1/2" (12.7 mm) outer diameter. The adapter is fitted over the component and then placed into a smooth bore mount, where it is secured. When being secured within the mount, the adapter will clamp around the component due to the split bushing design, holding the component in place. The adapter design centers the collimator within the outer diameter, which in turn aligns the collimated beam to the center of the mount it is held in. A black dot is engraved on each adapter, opposite to the split bushing slot, to indicate the location where the adapter should be clamped within a mount.
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The SM05PT adapter is designed to mount Thorlabs' GRIN Lens Fiber Collimators in SM05-compatible mounts, lens tubes, and cage components. The adapter's design ensures that the GRIN lens is aligned with the optical axis when mounted into a SM05 lens tube. A 1/16" (1.5 mm) hex, nylon-tipped setscrew is used to press the GRIN lens fiber collimator against the two lines of contact created by the double-bored mounting hole. Additionally, there are holes on opposing sides of the central bore that are mechanically compatible with our SPW908 spanner wrench. A version of this mount with SM1 threading is available, please see the SM1PT below.
![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge F220SMA-780 Fiber Collimator and C340TMD-B Mounted Asphere Focus Light Exiting an MHP365L02 Patch Cable Using the AD1109F Adapter
The AD1109F adapter is designed to mount optical components with external M11 x 0.5 or M9 x 0.5 threading in SM05-compatible mounts, lens tubes, and cage components. This adapter can be paired with the SM1A6 adapter that converts external SM05 threading to external SM1 threading so that the AD1109F can be used in SM1-compatible mounts, lens tubes, and cage components.
![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge F220SMA-780 SMA Fiber Collimator with a MHP200L02 Patch Cable Mounted in the RMS11P Collimator Adapter
The RMS11P is designed to integrate M11 x 0.5 threaded collimation packages into internally RMS-threaded (0.800"-36) components. The knurled outer edge allows the adapter to be secured without a spanner wrench.
![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge F671SMA-405 SMA Fiber Collimator with an MHP200L02 Patch Cable Secured in an AD11NT Adapter
These collimator adapters are designed to mount fixed collimation packages in Ø1" (Ø25.4 mm) mounts. Each adapter has a double bored center hole and an unthreaded 1" (25.4 mm) outer diameter. Two nylon-tipped setscrews hold the collimation package against the two lines of contact created by the double bore. Both setscrews feature a 1/16" (1.5 mm) hex socket. The adapter design centers the collimator within the outer diameter, which in turn aligns the collimated beam to the center of the mount it is held in.
![]() ![]() Click to Enlarge F240SMA-A Fiber Collimator with an MHP200L02 Patch Cable Secured in the AD12F Collimator Adapter
These SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) collimator adapters are designed to mount Ø3.5 to Ø16 mm collimation packages, respectively, in SM1-compatible mounts, lens tubes, and cage components. Each adapter has external SM1 threads and a double-bored center hole. All adapters, except for the SM1PT, AD4F, AD9.5F, and AD15F2, include two inline 1/16" (1.5 mm) hex setscrews with nylon tips that are used to press the collimation package against the two lines of contact created by the double bore (see the mechanical drawing to the left) and position the collimation package so that its optical axis is coincident with the center of the SM1-compatible component that the adapter is placed in. The SM1PT, AD4F, and AD9.5F adapters each have one 1/16" (1.5 mm) setscrew, and the AD15F2 adapter has one 5/64" (2.0 mm) setscrew. Except for the AD8F and AD15F, each of these adapters contains holes on opposing sides of the central hole that are mechanically compatible with our SPW909 and SPW801 spanner wrenches.
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