Fixed Filter Holders for Plate Optics

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DH1 Holding a VRC5 IR Viewing Card

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DH1 Mechanical Drawing

• Compact Size: 0.31" x 0.5" x 1.2" (8 mm x 12.7 mm x 30 mm)
• Holds Two Thin Cards or Filters Simultaneously
• Maximum Filter Thickness: 0.06" (1.5 mm) with Two Optics, 0.08" (2.0 mm) with One Optic
• Mounts Directly to Ø1/2" Post via an 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole

This compact filter mount can hold two viewing cards or filters up to 0.06" (1.5 mm) thick simultaneously. It holds a single filter or viewing card, as shown in the image to the right, up to 0.08" (2.0 mm) thick. The soft, nylon-coated spring clips provide a secure holding force without damaging the filter. Its small size and thin profile allow this mount to be positioned within space-constrained optical setups; see the mechanical drawing to the right for more size specifications.

The DH1 provides an 8-32 (M4) tapped hole in its base for mounting directly to our Ø1/2" posts.

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The PC2(/M) can be mounted horizontally with the use of an RA90 angle clamp.

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PC2 Mechanical Drawing

• Holds Optics between 0.8 mm and 2.3 mm Thick
• Thumbscrew-Actuated Flexure Design for Clamping Plate
• Compact Design Mounts Directly onto 1/4"-20 (M6) End of a Ø1/2" Post

This Flexure Plate Clamp is a simple, compact mount for a plate or other thin object. The clamp can hold components between 0.8 mm and 2.3 mm thick and can be tightened using the thumbscrew on the side. The clamping screw can also be tightened using a 9/64" hex key (3 mm hex on metric version). While the plate clamp is compatible with a number of optics including colored glass filters, neutral density filters, and test targets, please use extreme caution when mounting optics in the clamp, as the clamp is made from aluminum and overtightening can cause damage to the optic.

The clamp has a diameter of 0.50" at its base and a 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped hole on the bottom. See the mechanical drawing to the right for more size specifications. The clamp can fit directly into a Ø1/2" post holder or angle clamp for Ø1/2" posts, as shown in the image to the far right. The clamp can also fit directly onto the 1/4"-20 (M6) end of a Ø1/2" post, using a setscrew at least 1/2" (12 mm) long to attach the clamp and the post. The clamp has a Ø0.24" through hole that allows an ER rod to pass through. The ER rod can be used for fine alignment of the clamp's orientation.

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These filter mounts can be stacked together using two 8-32 cap screws of the correct length and two nuts, such as those in our HW-KIT1 Hardware Kit.

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FH2 Mechanical Drawing

• Maximum Filter Thickness:
• FH2: 0.08" (2.0 mm)
• FH2D: 0.06" (1.5 mm) with Two Optics, 0.08" (2.0 mm) with One Optic
• FH2D Can Mount Two Filters Simultaneously
• Mounts Directly to Ø1/2" post via a #8 (M4) Counterbored Hole
• Stack Filter Holders Using the Two #8 (M4) Through Holes to Accommodate Multiple Filters

The FH2 and FHD2 Filter Mounts are ideal for firmly holding one or two optics, respectively. Each clip is nylon coated to help prevent damage to the optic being held. Each mount can hold any rectangular optic wider than 1.36" and of various thicknesses. The FH2 can hold optics up to 0.08" (2 mm) thick, while the FH2D can hold one filter up to 0.08" (2 mm) thick and two filters up to 0.06" (1.5 mm) thick. They are compatible with a number of rectangular optics including colored glass filters, neutral density filters (with thicknesses of 2 mm or less), dichroic mirrors/beamsplitters, fluorescent imaging filters, and test targets.

Each mount provides a center-located counterbored hole for Ø1/2" post mounting with the included 8-32 (M4) cap screw. This allows mounting to both imperial and metric posts. Additionally, they both offer two through holes for use with #8 (M4) screws, allowing multiple mounts to be stacked together as shown in the photo to the right. They are ideal for use in OEM applications requiring fastening to a secure bulkhead.

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SFH3 Mechanical Drawing

• Designed for 2" Square Filters
• Compatible with Filters Larger than a 2" Square
• Filter Thickness Range: 1 mm (0.04") to 5 mm (0.19")
• Mounts Directly to Ø1/2" post via a #8 (M4) Counterbored Hole
• Stack Filter Holders Using the Two #8 (M4) Through Holes to Accommodate Multiple Filters

The SFH3 Filter Mount is ideal for securely holding 2" square filters. The long support arms add stability to the filter and are nylon coated to prevent damage to the optic. The arms are spaced to hold any square optic wider than 2" (50.8 mm) with a thickness up to 0.19" (5 mm). These mounts are compatible with a number of square optics including, colored glass filters, neutral density filters (with thicknesses 2 mm or less), and test targets.

The mount has a center-located counterbored hole for Ø1/2" post mounting with the included 8-32 (M4) cap screw. This allows mounting to both imperial and metric posts. Additionally, it contains two through holes for use with #8 (M4) screws, allowing multiple mounts to be stacked together.

• Holds 2" (50.8 mm) Square Filters Up to 0.16" (4.0 mm) Thick
• Mounts Up to 2 Filters Simultaneously
• Four Ø6 mm Through Holes for 60 mm Cage Compatibility
• Spring-Loaded Clips Hold Optic in Place and Enable Quick Removal
• Mounts Directly to Ø1/2" or Ø1" posts via an 8-32 (M4) Tapped Hole

This 60 mm Cage Plate, which has a Ø2" (Ø50.8 mm) through hole (Ø1.65" (Ø41.9 mm) clear aperture), is designed to hold either 2" (50.8 mm) or 50 mm square filters up to 0.16" (4.0 mm) thick. Since the mount is equipped with two spring clips on each side, a filter can be pressed up against either side of the clear aperture. Additional features include four through holes for cage rods as well as side-located locking setscrews to hold the rods in position. For added convenience, the mount is post-mountable via the 8-32 (M4) tapped hole on the bottom surface.

This filter holder is ideal for use with our 2" x 2" Unmounted Absorptive Neutral Density Filters, Square Colored Glass Filters or our 2" square test targets.

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SFH2 Holding a 0.09" (2.3 mm) Thick Neutral Density Filter

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SFH2 Mechanical Drawing

• Maximum Filter Thickness: 0.16" (4 mm)
• Mounts Directly to Ø1/2" Posts via a #8 (M4) Counterbored Hole
• Quick-Release Clips Have a Locking Setscrew for Added Long-Term Stability

The SFH2 Lockable Quick-Release Filter Holder is an ideal solution for applications that frequently need filters switched. Each arm has a 2-56 screw-actuated lock to adjust the holding force applied to the optic. These locking setscrews can be adjusted using the provided 0.035" hex key. This locking feature provides the long-term stability required for sensitive optical applications.

Both locking arms integrate rubber cushions that protect any mounted filters from damage, and can hold optics up to 0.16" (4 mm) thick. The design eliminates vertical stanchions associated with typical square filter mounts, such as those shown above, in order to provide maximum clear aperture. The mount has a center-located counterbored hole for Ø1/2" post mounting with the included 8-32 (M4) cap screw.

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An R2L2S3P3 Target Post Mounted via an FFM1 Filter Mount and a B3C Cube Base for Use in a Custom Imaging System

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FFM1 Dichroic Filter Mount Holding a Dichroic Filter and mounted to a B3C Cube Platform mounted in a C6W Cube.

• Holds Rectangular or Square Filters up to 0.12" (3.0 mm) or 0.16" (4.0 mm) Thick
• Two Spring-Loaded Clamping Mechanisms Secure Optic's Position
• Can Mount Filters in a Post-Mounted or Cage Cube Configuration (See Table Below)

The FFM1 and LFFM1 Cage-Compatible Filter Holders are specifically designed to hold rectangular or square optics, such as dichroic filters, colored filters, beamsplitters, or ND filters.

Filters up to 0.12" (3.0 mm) or 0.16" (4.0 mm) thick and ≥26 mm or ≥30 mm long can be held in the FFM1 and LFFM1, respectively. These mounts use two spring-loaded clamping arms designed to avoid scratching of coated surfaces; simply apply a horizontal force to the spring-loaded clamps, seat the optic into the channel created, and release the clamps, which leaves the optic wedged between a stop and a clamp at each end.

Both the FFM1 and LFFM1 can be directly mounted on posts. The FFM1 can be mounted directly to a Mini Series Post using one of the included 4-40 or M3 cap screws and a #4 counterbore. To mount the filter holder to our Ø1/2" posts, which feature 8-32 (M4) threading, an MSA8 thread adapter is necessary (MSA4/M for metric posts). The LFFM1, however, can be directly mounted to Ø1/2" posts via the #8 (M4) counterbore that accepts 8-32 (M4) cap screws. 

Alternatively, the FFM1 and LFFM1 can be integrated into cage cube systems by using a cage-compatible mounting platform. The FFM1 is compatible with the B3C(/M) or B4C(/M) mounting platforms, while the LFFM1 is compatible with the LB3C(/M) or LB4C(/M) mounting platforms. The FFM1 can accommodate a rectangular or square optic from 26 to 43 mm in length when used with the C4W or C6W Cage Cube, while the LFFM1 can accommodate an optic from 30 to 53 mm in length when used with the LC6WR Cage Cube. The height of an optic that can fit within a cage cube is determined by the height of the cube; please see the table to the right for specifications on optic dimensions.

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FP02 Holder with a Filter

• Maximum Plate Thickness: 0.58" (14.7 mm)
• Delrin^®* Tip to Minimize Stress
• Holders Available in Two Different Widths:
  
  • FP01: 0.9" (23 mm) Wide with One Clamping Screw
  • FP02: 3.0" (76 mm) Wide with Two Clamping Screws

These general-purpose plate holders secure objects up to 0.58" thick. The clamping screws to secure the plate has a Delrin tip to prevent damage to the optic. The FP01 provides a center-located counterbore for 8-32 (M4) cap screws allows for fastening to our Ø1/2" Posts in addition to other general mounting platforms. For most stable mounting of larger objects, the FP02 features two 8-32 (M4) counterbores for fastening to our Ø1/2" Posts or other general mounting platforms, as well as a center-located mounting hole for a 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw for direct mounting onto breadboards or other large mounts.

*Delrin^® is a registered trademark of DuPont Polymers, Inc.

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SM1FH Adapter Back View

• Mount Square Filters onto Thorlabs' Standard SM-Threaded Components
• Spring-Loaded Clips Secure Optic

These adapters accept square optics and have external SM threading for mounting to internally SM-threaded components, such as lens tubes. Each adapter has two spring-loaded clips that can hold an optic up to 0.18" (4.6 mm) thick. The SM1FH adapter has SM1 (1.035"-40) threads and accepts 1" or 25 mm square optics, while the SM2FH adapter has SM2 (2.035"-40) threads and accepts 2" or 50 mm square optics. The spring-loaded clips can be tightened using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key.

Each adapter includes a locking ring that allows the optic to be positioned in a specific orientation when the adapter is attached to an SM-threaded component. The locking rings can be tightened by using the SPW502 spanner wrench (for Item # SM1NT1) or SPW503 spanner wrench (for Item # SM2NT1). The adapters are also designed with outer diameters that allow them to be mounted in our smooth-bore mirror mounts.

We also offer Fast-Change Filter Holders for use in lens tube systems.