One High Quality Level Nexus is a single high-quality grade of tables and breadboards manufactured in various sizes by Thorlabs. They are suitable for photonics, imaging, and microscopy applications and provide quality and vibration isolation performance that exceeds the highest level of our former product line. Each size is individually optimized, and each table ships with a unique test data certificate. See the Vibration Isolation and Construction tabs for more details.
More Options See the Nexus Guide tab for a complete overview of our optical tables product line.
Service & Support Thorlabs provides assistance with organizing table installation. Contact techsupport@thorlabs.com or your local sales office for more information.
10% New Lab Discount Stock and Make-to-Order Nexus tables qualify for our 10% new lab investment discount.
Features
Thickness: 60 mm (2.4")
Sizes from 24" x 36" (600 mm x 900 mm) to 36" x 48" (900 mm x 1200 mm) Available
Every Breadboard Individually Optimized, Tested, and Shipped with Test Data Certificate
Constructed of 304L Grade Nonmagnetic Steel
1/2" (12.5 mm) Hole Border for Maximum Usable Area
±0.1 mm (±0.004") Surface Flatness over any 1 m² (11 ft²) Area
5 mm Stainless Steel Top and Bottom Skins with All-Steel Side Panels
Steel-to-Steel Bonding Throughout Increases Thermal Stability
Thorlabs' 60 mm (2.4") thick Nexus™ breadboards are offered in a variety of lengths and widths from 24" x 36" (600 mm x 900 mm) to 36" x 48" (900 mm x 1200 mm). They feature all-steel construction, excellent thermal stability, and broadband damping optimized for each breadboard size. The 5 mm thick stainless steel top and bottom skins have a precision-machined matte finish with surface flatness of ±0.1 mm over any 1 m2 area. The breadboard has 1/4"-20 (M6) mounting holes on 1" (25 mm) centers with a 0.5" (12.5 mm) border at the edge of the breadboard.
Virtually Nonmagnetic Construction These breadboards are constructed of 304L grade stainless steel. This alloy of steel contains less iron than typical stainless steel, which reduces its ferromagnetic properties. 304L steel is usually referred to as "virtually nonmagnetic" since weak magnetic properties are still present. We can also construct breadboards of 316L grade stainless steel, which contains even less iron for even better nonmagnetic performance. Contact techsupport@thorlabs.com to order a custom 316L steel breadboard.
Nonmagnetic breadboards are built to order with a typical lead time of 4 - 6 weeks. Custom sizes and options are also available with a typical lead time of 6 - 8 weeks. See the Nexus Guide tab for a complete overview of the Nexus optical tables product line.
Support Options We offer a number of support options for Breadboards. Our standard Breadboard Frames are available with rigid supports, or with passive or self-leveling active vibration isolation. We also offer passive and electronic isolator feet for mounting a breadboard on top of a table.
ScienceDesk Frames Our ScienceDesk™ line of breadboard frames are ergonomic supports optimized for microscopy applications. They are available with rigid, passive, or active vibration isolators, and feature a number of convenient accessories. Sciencedesk frames are available to fit many of our breadboards sized from 2' x 3' to 3' x 4'.
Broadband Damping The most important feature of a breadboard is its resonant frequency. Since Resonant frequency and vibration amplitude are inversely related, the resonant frequency should be as high as possible to minimize vibration intensity. Nexus tables and breadboards are broadband damped over a specific range of frequencies with the damping optimized to account for resonant frequency changes related to footprint, thickness, or the amount and location of load on the table or breadboard.
We have performed extensive testing to optimize the thickness/size ratio of our breadboards. Larger sized breadboards over 5' (1.2 m) long are offered with a standard 110 mm thickness. Smaller sizes are available in both 2.4" (60 mm) and 4.3" (110 mm) thicknesses.
Compliance
The most widely used transfer function for the vibrational response of an optical table is compliance. In the case of a constant (static) force, compliance is defined as the ratio of the linear or angular displacement to the magnitude of the applied force. In the case of a dynamically varying force (vibration), compliance is defined as the ratio of the excited vibrational amplitude (angular or linear displacement) to the amplitude of the force causing the vibration. Any deflection of the tabletop is evident by the change in relative position of the components mounted on the table surface. Therefore, by definition, the lower the compliance value is, the closer the optical table is to meeting the primary goal of optical table design, minimized deflection. Compliance is frequency dependant and is measured in units of displacement per unit force (meters per Newton).
Compliance Measurement Procedure An impulse hammer is used to apply a measured force to the top surface of the table or breadboard, and transducers attached to the surface detect the resultant vibrations (see diagram to the right). The signals from the transducers are interpreted by the analyzer and used to produce a frequency response spectrum (i.e., a compliance curve). During the development phase of an optical table, compliance curves are recorded at many points on the tabletop; however, the compliance is always greatest at the corners. The compliance curves and data published by Thorlabs are from the sensors located on the corner of the table and therefore represent the worst case data.
Unique Test Data Certificate Each individual Nexus product is tested and shipped with a unique test data certificate and compliance curve. This provides more accurate data compared to the industry standard of using a single size-specific compliance curve to represent the entire product line. The compliance curves and data published by Thorlabs are from sensors located on the corner of the table and therefore represent the worst case data.
The compliance curves here are typical, and slight variations may occur between individual tables. Each table is individually tested before shipment and includes a certificate with the individual test data and compliance curve (see Unique Test Data Certificate section, above).
Note: Compliance data will be available soon for models with a greyed out plot icon. Compliance data is measured for each breadboard, and thus will be included with these models upon purchase.
Nexus Tables and Breadboards Construction Details
Click to Enlarge Nexus Table / Breadboard Cross Section, showing the (1) Top Skin, (2) Bottom Skin, (3) Side Finishing Trim, (4) Side Panels, and (5) Honeycomb Core
Precision Steel Construction for Thermal Stability
All Steel Construction Thorlabs' Nexus tables and breadboards feature all-steel construction, including 5 mm thick top and bottom skins and a 0.25 mm thick precision formed and welded steel honeycomb core. The core is geometrically formed using accurate pressing tools, and geometric pitch is retained by using welded flat shims. The honeycomb core in our Nexus tables and breadboards extends from the top skin to the bottom skin without intermediate layers, leading to a stiffer, more thermally stable product.
Thermal Stability The key aspect of the thermally stable Nexus design is symmetrical isotropic steel construction in all axes. Steel components expand and contract similarly, maintaining flatness during changes in temperature. The steel core extends from top to bottom skin without intermediate plastic or aluminum spill management structures that reduce the overall stiffness of the product and introduce a higher coefficient of thermal expansion. Steel side panels are used rather than wood, which can introduce environmental instability due to susceptibility to moisture.
Nexus Components
Note: For Illustrative Purposes Only. Not a representation of the Nexus Tables Construction Sequence
Click to Enlarge Honeycomb Core of a Nexus Table During Manufacturing
Click to Enlarge Nexus Tables and Breadboards Feature a Precision Machined Matte Finish, Holes that Extend to the Edge of the Tabletop, and Large Radius Corners
Machined Finish
Automated Finishing Process Our Nexus tables and breadboards feature an automated orbital machined matte finish that is significantly smoother and flatter than our previous product line. The improved surface finish achieves ±0.1 mm (±0.004”) flatness over 1 m2 (11 ft2), providing a solid contact surface for mounting components and reducing the need for stoning the top surface.
Large Radii Corners Large radius corners are incorporated into the design, resulting in less pointed edges for lab safety.
Flexible Mounting Options
Individually Tapped, Countersunk Mounting Holes Prior to bonding the components of the table, each mounting hole in the top surface is tapped and slightly countersunk to ensure that components mounted to the table sit flat. The mounting holes are then cleaned and sealed on the bottom with vinyl film discs (non-sealed models) or sealing cups (sealed hole models, see below). This ensures that each hole is completely free from any adhesive material. The vinyl film is easily punctured when using a hole for the first time. Cap screws can be finger tightened into the mounting holes of all Nexus tables and breadboards.
Reduced Hole Pattern Border Our new top surface hole patterns extend to the edge of the table or breadboard with only a 12.5 mm (0.5”) border, equal to half of a hole spacing. This increases the usable area of the table and improves mounting option flexibility.
Increased Screw Depth and Optional Sealed Holes Our custom-designed core maker produces precision formed and welded honeycomb core strips. The core is shaped and installed so that it does not intersect with any screw holes (see photo below, to right), allowing screws to be inserted far into the table, all the way to the bottom skin (for non-sealed-hole models). See the Specs tab for specific screw depth specifications, including outer border holes.
Click to Enlarge Nexus breadboard showing the location of the honeycomb core and side panels, which do not intersect with any screw holes. When sealing cups are not present, the maximum screw depth is equivalent to the thickness of the table or breadboard minus 5 mm. Sealed holes have a screw depth of 1” (25.4 mm) for both tables and breadboards. Border holes are 13.5 mm for breadboards and 23.5 mm for tables.
Sealed Mounting Holes Tables and breadboards can be manufactured with nylon sealing cups glued to the underside of the top skin (see photo below) for liquid spill management. Sealed hole tables are available in all sizes and thicknesses, and the maximum screw depth is 1" (25.4 mm).
Mounting Holes on the Bottom Skin Our breadboards feature at least four mounting holes in the base skin, permitting the secure attachment of standard or vibration isolating feet and allowing more flexibility for integrating breadboards onto tables or into setups in addition to using breadboard stands.
Laser-Engraved Measurement Grid Optional laser-engraved measurement grid markings along table edges make it easy to duplicate setups and assist with difficult measurements.
Click to Enlarge Nylon Sealing Cups Installation During Manufacturing
Standard Nexus™ Tables and Breadboards - Sizes Available
Thorlabs’ all new Nexus line of optical tables and breadboards is the result of over 25 years of experience in optical table manufacturing and a vision to supply a single, high-end-grade line of optical tables for photonics, imaging, and microscopy applications. Our Nexus tables and breadboards include a number of improved features, including enhanced damping, a precision-machined matte top and bottom finish, and holes to the edge of the tabletop. Each table is individually tested and includes a unique test data certificate.
Our tables and breadboards are available in many different sizes (see the tables below). Many of these sizes are stocked in our warehouses for same-day shipment, as indicated by green icons in the tables below. Other sizes are available as build-to-order products that can be shipped within 4 - 6 weeks of ordering and are indicated by blue icons below. We also provide a custom table and breadboard service. Common custom sizes are listed by yellow icons in the tables below. Contact Thorlabs' tech support to request a quote on these products.
Thorlabs' tables and breadboards qualify for our 10% new lab investment discount. For questions or feedback regarding our line of optical tables and breadboards, see the Feedback tab or contact your local Thorlabs' Tech Support office.
Many table and breadboard sizes are available in two thicknesses, with or without sealed holes. Nonmagtic steel tables and breadboards, plus table and leg kits, and breadboards with no holes are also available. Click on the green and blue icons below to see the stock and make-to-order tables available in each size.
Nexus Optical Tables
Metric
Width
1 m
1.2 m
1.5 m
2 m
T1020C: 210 mm Thick T1020CK: 210 mm Thick, Kit with PTS610 Active Legs T1020P: 210 mm Thick, Sealed Holes T1020D: 310 mm Thick T1020Q: 310 mm Thick, Sealed Holes
T1220C: 210 mm Thick T1220CK: 210 mm Thick, Kit with PTS610 Active Legs T1220P: 210 mm Thick, Sealed Holes T1220D: 310 mm Thick T1220Q: 310 mm Thick, Sealed Holes
T1025C: 210 mm Thick T1025P: 210 mm Thick, Sealed Holes T1025D: 310 mm Thick T1025Q: 310 mm Thick, Sealed Holes
T1225C: 210 mm Thick T1225P: 210 mm Thick, Sealed Holes T1225D: 310 mm Thick T1225Q: 310 mm Thick, Sealed Holes T1225QK: 310 mm Thick, Sealed Holes, Kit with PTS610 Active Legs
T1225CN: 210 mm Thick, 304L Grade Non-Magnetic Steel T1225PN: 210 mm Thick, Sealed Holes, 304L Grade Non-Magnetic Steel
T1525C: 210 mm Thick T1525P: 210 mm Thick, Sealed Holes T1525D: 310 mm Thick T1525Q: 310 mm Thick, Sealed Holes