Features

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The height of any component mounted on a BA2(/M) base can be increased in increments from 0.010" (0.25 mm) to 2" (50 mm) using a Mounting Base Spacer. Here a BA2 base is shown with a BA2S7 1" Mounting Spacer

• Compatible with Imperial or Metric Breadboards, Posts, and Post Holders
• Attach to Post Holders via Bottom-Located 1/4"-20 (M6) Counterbored Mounting Holes
• Mount on Breadboard or Optical Table via Clearance Slots for 1/4"-20 (M6) Cap Screws
• Fabricated from Anodized Aluminum with Bottom Relief Cuts for Stable Mounting

Thorlabs offers our standard anodized aluminum bases in a variety of sizes to best utilize space on an optical breadboard. For close positioning of components, our BA1S(/M) base features the smallest footprint. For increased stability while maintaining a small footprint, the two-slotted BA1(/M) is a good option. For the greatest stability, consider either our BA2(/M) or BA3(/M) base, each of which is twice the width of our BA1(/M) base. The BA2(/M) features two straight slots, while the BA3(/M) has two radial slots for ± 45 degrees of manual rotation. As our longest standard base, the BA1L(/M) provides 1.44" (36.6 mm) of linear manual positioning and can be secured to an optical breadboard by two screws, even when oriented at a 45 degree angle with respect to the tapped hole pattern as shown in photograph to the right.

Item #	BA1S(/M)	BA1(/M)	BA1L(/M)	BA2(/M)	BA3(/M)
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Slots	1	2	2	2	2
Slot Type	Straight	Straight	Straight	Straight	Radial
Slot Length	1.10" (27.9 mm)	0.81" (20.1 mm)	1.56" (39.6 mm)	1.25" (31.8 mm)	π/2" (12.7π mm) arclength*
Mounting Holes	1	1	1	3	3
Dimensions (W x L x H)	1" x 2.3" x 3/8" (25 x 58 x 10 mm)	1" x 3" x 3/8" (25 x 75 x 10 mm)	1" x 4.5" x 3/8" (25 x 115 x 10 mm)	2" x 3" x 3/8" (50 x 75 x 10 mm)	2" x 3" x 3/8" (51 x 76 x 10 mm)

* ± 45 degrees of manual rotation

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• Two-Dimensional Adjustment of Components Without Removing Base from Breadboard
• Same Stability and Footprint as the BA2 Base
• Machined Bottom Relief Cuts Ensure Stability

The anodized aluminum BA2T2 complements our popular line of standard mounting bases. It features a 1" long, couterbored slot along the center length that contains a 1/4"-20 (M6) threaded stud ideal for use with our Ø1/2" post holders. This slot provides for two-dimensional positioning of any attached optical component. To reposition a post holder on the base, loosen it, slide it into the desired position, and retighten it to the base. The base also contains two 1/4"-20 (M6) counterbored holes located on either side of the 1" long slot.

The BA2T2 is shown on the right with a Ø1/2" post holder, a Ø1/2" post, and a KM100 Ø1" mirror mount.

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• Magnetic Versions of Our Most Popular Bases
• Holds Position of Components During Initial Setup Process
• Relief Cuts in Base Provide Excellent Stability

These anodized aluminum magnetic bases are modeled after our popular standard bases but are enhanced by bottom-mounted rare earth magnets, which provide the ability to temporarily secure components during the setup process. The force from these magnets is strong enough to help prevent accidental movement of components, while still allowing for easy repositioning. The full functionality of these bases can only be achieved when using them on a magnetic table or breadboard; however, they can function as a standard base on non-magnetic surfaces as well.

Each base attaches to a post holder via cap screws that fit within a bottom-located 1/4" (M6) counterbored hole. For final attachment to an optical breadboard, each base features at least one slot for a 1/4-20 (M6) cap screw. The BA1SR provides one 1.10" (27.9 mm) slot and allows for the smallest footprint. For increased stability while maintaining a small footprint, the BA1R provides two 0.81" (20.1 mm) slots. Finally, for the most support, the BA2R features two 1.25" (31.8 mm) slots. In addition, the BA2R comes with four bottom-located M3 counterbored holes for 34 mm rail mounting.

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• Mounting Base with a Ø1" (Ø25 mm) Double Bore and Flexure Clamping Mechanism
• Mounts Ø1/2" Post Holders or Ø1" Posts
• 0.325" (8.3 mm) of Height Adjustment and 360° Coarse Rotational Adjustment
• 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole for Rotation Hard Stop with the RM1B Ø1" Post Collar
• Machined Bottom Relief Cuts Ensure Stability

The BA2F mounting base features a Ø1" (Ø25 mm) double bore and flexure clamping mechanism. This clamp allows for both height and rotational adjustment of both Ø1/2" post holders and Ø1" optical posts. It is actuated by a 3/8"-24 (M10 x 1.5) clamping screw with 3/16" (5 mm) hex key. A permanent steel insert* at the end of the flexing mechanism prevents damage to the clamp from overtightening.

An RM1A or RM1B Ø1" post collar can be used with Ø1" posts or Ø1/2" post holders as a hard stop for repeatable height adjustment. The base also features an 8-32 (M4) tapped hole near the double bore. With a cap screw or setscrew inserted into this hole, the post collar can also function as a rotational stop (see photo on the top right).

*The flexure mechanism will contact the steel insert when mounting Ø1/2" post holders, since they are slightly smaller in diameter than Ø1" posts. This is normal operation and will not harm the mounting base.

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• Convert Your Existing Post Holders into Universal Post Holder Style Mounts
• 360 Degree Swiveling Base Fastens to Existing Ø1/2" Post Holders via a 1/4"-20 (M6) Cap Screw
• Magnets in Base Hold Position of Components on Breadboard During Initial Setup

Our 360° swivel base adapter fits all standard Ø1/2" post holders with 1/4"-20 (M6) mounting holes and minimizes the amount of time it takes to assemble an optical system. In addition, the swivel design is ideal for applications that require a large number of components to be packed into a small area. When our Ø1/2" post holders are used with the UPHA adapter, the combination is nearly that of our very popular UPH Series of Post Holders. This  anodized aluminum UPHA adapter has the benefit of compatibility with any of our existing Ø1/2" post holders but does not offer the same height flexibility of the UPH series post holders, which allow the post to be lowered all the way to the table. 

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• Re-Position Bases within an Optical System
• Re-Alignment Based on Three Contact Points
• Use Two Contact Points to Re-Position Ø1" and Ø1.5" Posts within an Optical System
• 1.73" (43.8 mm) Long and 0.13" (3.2 mm) Thick

Thorlabs' RSPC Position Retainer is used to realign bases, and other squared-off components, that have been removed from an optical system. It acts as a marker on the breadboard or optical table in the event that you need to remove a component from your set-up. The three white dots engraved on the surface of the retainer mark the three points that contact your part. The two dots on the outer arms can be used independently as contacts for posts. For more information on using the anodized aluminum RSPC with a post, click here.

Note: The RSPC Position Retainer can also be secured to an optical table or breadboard via the CL6 clamp. This clamp is useful in situations where the RSPC cannot be placed directly over a hole in the table. The photos below illustrate the RSPC being secured to an optical table with both an 8-32 cap screw and the CL6 clamp.

RSPC Mounted Directly to Optical Table
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RSPC Secured by CL6 Clamp
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