Passive TO Can Laser Diode Mounts

Click to Enlarge
Figure G1.2  LMF56 with Mounted Ø5.6 mm Diode Package Attached to a
Ø1/2" Post

Click to Enlarge
Figure G1.1  LM9F Includes an Adapter for Ø5.6 mm
Diode Packages

• Versions for TO-18, TO-38, TO-46, Ø5.6 mm, or Ø9 mm Diode Packages
• Flexure Clamp Secures Diode in Place
• Compact Design Takes up Minimal Space in the Lab
• Post-Mountable via 8-32 (M4) Tap or #8 (M4) Counterbore

Thorlabs' Post-Mountable Laser Diode Mounts provide a simple solution for quick and easy mounting of a laser diode mounted in a TO-18, TO-38, TO-46, Ø5.6 mm, or Ø9 mm package that does not require temperature control. A top-located 2-56 cap screw with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex actuates a flexure clamp that secures the diode in place. The LM9F Ø9 mm laser diode mount includes an adapter for Ø5.6 mm laser diode packages.

Each diode mount can be attached to a post using a bottom-located 8-32 (M4) tap, with exception to the LM9F which has a #8 (M4) counterbore. Both mounting options allow for a compact profile that takes up minimal space in an experimental setup. The LMF18(/M), LMF38(/M), LMF46(/M), LMF56(/M), and LMF9(/M) also have a Ø0.10" torque hole in the front of the mount. A 5/64" (2 mm) balldriver can be inserted into this hole to provide extra leverage when tightening or loosening the mount.

Additionally, Thorlabs offers temperature-controlled mounts, as well as laser diode current controllers.

Click to Enlarge
Figure G2.1  LMF18R with TO-18 Diode Package and Strain Relief Cable Attached to a
Ø1/2" Post

• Versions for TO-18, Ø5.6 mm, or Ø9 mm Diode Packages
• Flexure Clamp Secures Diode in Place
• Internal 13/32"-40 Thread Accepts SR9 Strain Relief Cable
• Compact Design Takes up Minimal Space in the Lab
• Post-Mountable via 8-32 (M4) Tap

Thorlabs' Post-Mountable Laser Diode and Strain Relief Mounts provide a simple solution for mounting a laser diode and strain-relief cable. These mounts accommodate diodes in TO-18, Ø5.6 mm, or Ø9 mm packages and do not offer temperature control.

When using this mount, the diode pins should first be clipped for proper attachment to the strain relief cable. The top of the mount is engraved to show the length to which the leads should be clipped, as illustrated in Video G2.2. If the diode pins are too long then you will not be able to fully engage the threads of the strain relief cable. Then, depending on the mount, the laser diode must be inserted from the rear [LMF18R(/M)] or front [LMF56R(/M) and LMF9R(/M)]. Once the diode reaches the mechanical stop, tighten the cap screw [5/64" (2 mm) hex] that secures the diode in place. Finally, align the strain relief socket, insert the pins, then screw the strain relief cable's boot onto the back of the mount.

Each diode mount can be attached to a post using a bottom-located 8-32 (M4) tap. This allows for a compact profile that takes up minimal space in an experimental setup. The LMF18R(/M), LMF56R(/M), and LMF9R(/M) also have a Ø0.10" torque hole in the front of the mount. A 5/64" (2 mm) balldriver can be inserted into this hole to provide extra leverage when tightening or loosening the mount.

Additionally, Thorlabs offers temperature-controlled mounts, as well as laser diode current controllers.

Thorlabs offers SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) and SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) black-anodized aluminum lens tube mounts to accommodate laser diodes in TO-38, TO-46, Ø5.6 mm, Ø9 mm, and TO-5 packages. These laser diode mounts are designed such that the laser diode is aligned to the optical axis of the lens tube, enabling easy assembly of lens-tube-based setups.

The laser diode can be directly inserted into the mount and held in place with the included retaining ring (see Table G3.1 for details). Our SPW801 Adjustable Spanner Wrench can be used to secure the laser diode into any of these mounts. Alternatively, Table G3.1 also lists the compatible fixed spanner wrench for each mount, if available.

Each laser diode mount, other than the S1LM05, is equipped with internal 13/32"-40 threads that allow our ESD protection and strain relief cables to be attached. Instead of 13/32"-40 threads, the S1LM05 has internal SM05 threads.

To operate and control the mounted laser diodes, please see our line of laser diode current controllers. If your application requires mounting a temperature-controlled laser diode into a lens tube setup, please see our lens-tube-compatible temperature-controlled laser diode mounts.

Thorlabs offers laser diode lens tube mounts fabricated from Delrin for mounting laser diodes in TO-38, TO-46, Ø5.6 mm, Ø9 mm, and TO-5 packages. Mounts are available with either SM05 (0.535"-40) or SM1 (1.035"-40) external threading. The Delrin material provides electrical insulation between the laser diode case and our aluminum lens tubes.

These laser diode mounts are designed such that the laser diode is aligned to the optical axis of the lens tube, enabling easy assembly of lens-tube-based setups. The laser diode can be directly inserted into the mount and held in place with the included black-anodized aluminum retaining ring (see Table G4.1). The S1PLM05 comes with a Delrin retaining ring instead of the aluminum retaining ring included with the other Delrin mounts.

Our SPW801 Adjustable Spanner Wrench can be used to secure the laser diode into any of these mounts. Alternatively, Table G4.1 also lists the compatible fixed spanner wrench for each mount, if available. The mount and retaining ring should both be at room temperature before adjustment.

Each laser diode mount, other than the S1LM05, is equipped with internal 13/32"-40 threads that allow our ESD protection and strain relief cables to be attached. Instead of 13/32"-40 threads, the S1LM05 has internal SM05 threads.

To operate and control the mounted laser diodes, please see our line of laser diode current controllers. If your application requires mounting a temperature-controlled laser diode into a lens tube setup, please see our lens-tube-compatible temperature-controlled laser diode mounts. Please note that Delrin is an electrically and thermally insulating material. The maximum operating temperature for these mounts is 185 °F (85 °C).

Click for Details
Figure G5.2  CP49 Laser Diode Mount, Shown Holding a Laser Diode and Mounted to a Ø1/2" Post

Click for Details
Figure G5.1  CP1LD9 Laser Diode Mount, Shown Holding a Laser Diode and Mounted to a Ø1/2" Post

• Cage Plates to Mount Ø5.6 mm TO Can, Ø9 mm TO Can, or TO-3 Laser Diodes
• CP1LD56(/M) and CP1LD9(/M) Have 3/16"-100 Hex Adjusters for Fine Positioning (Item # F19SS075)
• Cage Plate Laser Diode Collimation Kits Also Available

These cage plates provide precision mounting of the laser diode without the use of adapters, which ensures maximum centration for good beam quality and alignment to the cage system. They are fully compatible with our 30 mm cage system and can be mounted on Ø1/2" posts using the bottom-located 8-32 (M4) tapped hole. Four through holes on 30 mm centers accept Ø6 mm cage rods that can be secured by tightening M4 x 0.7 side-located locking setscrews [5/64" (2 mm) hex].

For the Ø5.6 mm and Ø9 mm laser diode cage plates, the distance between the laser diode and an adjacent cage plate can be precisely set using a 3/16"-100 adjuster (5/64" (2.0 mm) hex, Item # F19SS075). The laser diode is secured with a retaining ring that can be tightened using a spanner wrench. The Ø5.6 mm mount is compatible with our SPW801 spanner wrench only, while the Ø9 mm mount is compatible with the SPW301 and SPW801 spanner wrenches. To align the laser chip axis to the cage system, access ports on the front of the mount allow rotation of the laser diode using tweezers prior to fully threading the retaining ring (see Figures G5.1 and G5.2). After the laser diode is mounted, a strain relief cable can be screwed into the back of the cage plate for electrical connections.

The CP49 cage plate can be mounted directly onto any heat sink that is designed to accept TO-3 laser packages. Two #6 through holes allow the laser diode to be mounted to the plate. The mounting area is cut 1 mm oversized in all directions to allow adjustment of the laser for centration within the cage system. This cage plate is not compatible with our strain relief cables.