These IR alignment disks are ideally used as drop-in tools to simplify active alignment of IR and visible setups. A small Ø1.5 mm hole at the center enables beams to be aligned with the optical axis of our mounts or lens tubes. The active material on the VRC4D05 and VRC4D1 does not require charging and will emit light persistently when exposed to light in the 790 - 840 nm, 870 - 1070 nm, or 1500 - 1590 nm spectral region. The active material on the VRC2D05 and VRC2D1 requires charging by visible light. When charged the disks will emit light when exposed to light in the 400 to 640 nm or 800 to 1700 nm spectral range.

The VRC2SM1 IR viewing and alignment disk is a photosensitive disk made from a slow-fading phosphor that is designed to simplify the alignment of infrared beams. The alignment disk contains a target that clearly marks the optical axis of any SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded mount or lens tubes to which it is attached. The depth of the SM1 threading on the back side of the alignment disk is purposely kept short so that the user can quickly insert or remove the VRC2SM1 from the optical setup.

The VRC2RMS IR viewing and alignment disk is designed to simplify the alignment of infrared beams along the optical axis of an internally threaded RMS mount. The VRC2RMS has external RMS threads that allow it to be threaded into a mount designed for an RMS-threaded microscope objective lens. Both of these disks require charging in visible light.

Our frosted glass alignment disks are made from 1500 grit Ground Glass Diffusers. The DG10-1500-H1 are Ø1" (Ø25.4 mm), and feature a Ø1 mm (Ø0.04") hole drilled in the center for alignment purposes. The disks are ideal for use when viewing a beam exiting a lens tube as the beam can be seen through the ground glass. An example of this is shown in the image at the top right of this page. The disks are also available mounted in SM threaded cells in the section below.

Our frosted glass alignment disks are also available mounted in SM threaded cells. The 1500 grit N-BK7 diffusers are excellent alignment targets for visible beams. An incident beam can be easily seen on either side of the disk and aligned to the Ø1 mm centering hole on the Ø1/2" and Ø1" versions or the Ø2 mm hole on the Ø2" version. The SM threaded mounts allow the alignment disks to be quickly inserted or removed from an optical system without the need of retaining rings and spanner wrenches to secure the disk within a system. Please see the section immediately above for unmounted frosted alignment disks.

The SM05A7 and SM1A7 alignment disks provide useful aids for aligning visible beams to the center of optical mounts. To enable accurate alignment, the disks have clear markings with graduations on both X and Y axes. The back of each SM05A7 (SM1A7) alignment disk is threaded with our standard SM05 (SM1) thread, making the disk compatible with any of our Ø1/2" or Ø1" lens tubes or fixed lens mounts, respectively.

• Quick and Easy Drop-In Visual Beam Alignment Tool
• Ø1 mm Through Hole
• For use with LMR1 or LMR2 Fixed Lens Holders and SM1 or SM2 Series Lens Tubes

These alignment tools can be quickly and easily dropped onto one of our fixed lens holder or lens tubes allowing the user to align a visible beam, using the Ø1 mm through-hole in the center. Once the beam is aligned, the tool can be removed without disturbing the alignment. The plates feature eight 1 mm engraved concentric circles for optimal visual alignment of the beam when used with our LMR series fixed optics mounts and SM series lens mounts.

Back View of VRC4CPT

• Quick, Drop-In Beam Alignment Tools
• Small Through Hole Aligned at Center of 16 mm, 30 mm, or 60 mm Cage Assemblies

These drop-in alignment plates are convenient tools for aligning visible beams in cage-based optical systems. They provide a Ø1 mm through hole at the exact center of the cage assembly (except for the CPA2, which contains a Ø5 mm through hole). For easy alignment, the through hole is surrounded by engraved rings.

The VRC4CPT Alignment Plate is specifically designed to align IR beams in a 30-mm-cage-based optical assembly. The front is identical to the CPA1 (shown to the left), and the back (shown to the right) includes a non-rotating IR-sensitive fluorescing alignment disk made of the same material used in our VRC4 Viewing Card. This disk has a centered Ø2 mm through hole, while the plate has a Ø1 mm centered through hole. See the table below for more information.

ERCPS Cage Plate Stops snap onto cage rods without any disassembly of the cage system. Click to Enlarge

ERCPS Cage Rod Stops can mark the position of cage components.
Click to Enlarge

• Marks the Position of Cage Components
• Flexure Clamping Mechanism
• Sold in Packs of Four

ERCPS Cage Plate Stops mark the position of a cage plate, allowing it to be moved and repositioned in a cage system. These clamps are 0.14" thick and are compatible with Ø6 mm ER rods for 30 mm and 60 mm cage systems. Utilizing a flexure design, the clamps are secured in place using an 0.05" hex key. They can be easily clamped onto the middle of a cage rod without removing other components.