Polaris® Side Optic Retention Mounts for Ø1/2" Optics
![](https://www.thorlabs.de/Images/GuideImages/10690_Polaris_StandardHalfInch_4.jpg)
- Designed for Long-Term Stability
- Matched Actuator and Back Plate Threading Minimize Drift and Backlash
- Minimal Temperature-Dependent Hysteresis
- Sapphire Adjuster Seats Prevent Wear Over Time
POLARIS-K05VS2
2-Adjuster Mirror Mount
with Vertical Drive, Right-Handed
POLARIS-K05
3 Hex Adjusters
(Mirror and Post Not Included)
POLARIS-K05S2
2 Hex Adjusters with Lock Nuts
POLARIS-K05VS2L
2-Adjuster Mirror Mount
with Vertical Drive,
Left-Handed
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Please Wait
![POLARIS-K05S1 and POLARIS-K05S2 Test Data](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/POLARIS-K05S1_K05S2_Test_Data_350.gif)
Click to Enlarge
Each Polaris mount undergoes extensive thermal testing to ensure high-quality performance. Please see the Test Data tab for additional test results.
Features
- Machined from Heat-Treated Stainless Steel with Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)
- Hardened Stainless Steel Ball Contacts with Sapphire Seats for Durability and Smooth Movement
- Matched Actuators and Back Plate Provide Stability and Smooth Kinematic Adjustment
- Extensive Testing Guarantees Less than 2 μrad Deviation after 12.5 °C Temperature Cycling (See Test Data Tab for Details)
- Passivated Stainless Steel Surface Ideal for Vacuum and High-Power Laser Cavity Applications
- Custom Mount Configurations are Available by Contacting Tech Support
Polaris® Low-Drift Kinematic Mirror Mounts are the ultimate solution for applications requiring stringent long-term alignment stability.
Optic Retention
The mounts with standard horizontal adjusters use a flexure spring and setscrew combination to hold the optic. This design provides high holding force and pointing stability while allowing quick and easy installation of the optic. The vertical drive mount (US Patent 11,320,621) features a patented optic bore design with a monolithic flexure arm to secure the optic (US Patent 10,101,559). This design provides high holding force and pointing stability with minimal optic distortion.
Polaris optic bores are precision machined to achieve a fit that will provide optimum beam pointing stability over changing environmental conditions such as temperature changes, transportation shock, and vibration. The performance will be diminished if these mounts are used with optics that have an outer diameter tolerance greater than zero or smaller metric mirror sizes (Ø12.5 mm). To order a mount designed for metric optics, please contact Tech Support.
Polaris® Side Optic Retention Mounts Selection Guide |
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Ø1/2" Optic Mounts |
Ø19 mm Optic Mount |
Ø25 mm Optic Mount |
Ø1" Optic Mounts |
Ø1.5" Optic Mounts |
Ø50 mm Optic Mount |
Ø2" Optic Mounts |
Ø3" Optic Mounts |
Design
Machined from heat-treated stainless steel, Polaris mounts utilize precision-matched adjusters with ball contacts and sapphire seats to provide smooth kinematic adjustment. As shown on the Test Data tab, these mounts have undergone extensive testing to ensure high-quality performance. The Polaris design addresses all of the common causes of beam misalignment; please refer to the Design Features tab for detailed information.
Post Mounting
The Polaris mirror mounts are equipped with #8 (M4) counterbores for post mounting. Select mounts also include Ø2 mm alignment pin holes around the mounting counterbore, allowing for precision alignments when paired with our posts for Polaris mirror mounts. See the Usage Tips tab for more recommendations about mounting configurations.
Cleanroom and Vacuum Compatibility
All Polaris mounts and lock nuts sold on this page are designed to be compatible with cleanroom and vacuum applications. See the Specs tab and the Design Features tab for details.
Item # | POLARIS-K05 | POLARIS-K05S1 | POLARIS-K05S2 | POLARIS-K05VS2 | POLARIS-K05VS2L |
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Optic Sizea | Ø1/2" | ||||
Minimum Optic Thickness | 0.08" (2 mm) | ||||
Number of Adjusters | Three | Two | |||
Adjuster Drive | Low-Profile 5/64" (2.0 mm) Hex | 5/64" (2.0 mm) Hex | Vertical 5/64" (2.0 mm) Hex | ||
Adjuster Pitch | 130 TPI | ||||
Actuator Matching | Matched Actuator/Body | ||||
Measured Point-to-Point Mechanical Resolution per Adjuster (Bidirectional Repeatability) |
5 µrad (Typical) 2 µrad (Achievable) |
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Adjustment per Revolutionb | ~11 mrad/rev | ||||
Front Plate Translation (Maximum) | 5 mm | N/A | |||
Mechanical Angular Range (Nominal) | ±5° | +3°/-2.5° | |||
Front Plate Separation at Pivot Adjuster | 1.5 mm (Nominal) |
1.5 mm | |||
Beam Deviationc After Thermal Cycling | <2 μrad | ||||
Recommended Optic Mounting Torqued | 6 - 10 oz-in for 6 mm Thick Optics | 8 - 12 oz-in for 6 mm Thick UVFS Optics |
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Mountinge | Two #8 (M4) Counterbores | One #8 (M4) Counterbore | |||
Alignment Pin Holes | Two at Each Counterboref | ||||
Vacuum Compatibilityg | 10-9 Torr at 25 °C with Proper Bake Out 10-5 Torr at 25 °C without Bake Out Grease Vapor Pressure: 10-13 Torr at 20 °C; 10-5 Torr at 200 °C Epoxy Meets Low Outgassing Standards NASA ASTM E595, Telcordia GR-1221 |
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Operating Temperature Range | -30 to 200 °C |
Polaris Mirror Mounts Test Data
All of the Polaris Low-Drift Kinematic Mirror Mounts have undergone extensive testing to ensure high-quality performance. Thermal Shock testing confirms the exceptional stability of the mounts and demonstrates that they reliably return to their initial position after a transient temperature shift.
Positional Repeatability After Thermal Shock
Purpose: This testing was done to determine how reliably the mount returns the mirror, without hysteresis, to its initial position. These measurements show that the alignment of the optical system is unaffected by the temperature shock.
Procedure: After mounting the Polaris to a Ø1" Post, the mirror and post assembly was secured to a stainless steel optical table in a temperature-controlled environment. The mirror was held using the flexure mechanism; see the Usage Tips tab for additional mounting recommendations. A beam from an independently temperature-stabilized laser diode was reflected by the mirror onto a position sensing detector. The temperature of each mirror mount tested was raised to 37 °C. The elevated temperature was maintained in order to soak the mount at a constant temperature. Then the temperature of the mirror mount was returned to the starting temperature. The results of these tests are shown below.
Results: As can be seen in the plots below, when the Polaris mounts were returned to their initial temperature, the angular position (both pitch and yaw) of the mirrors returned to within 2 µrad of its initial position. The performance of the Polaris was tested further by subjecting the mount to repeated temperature change cycles. After each cycle, the mirror’s position reliably returned to within 2 µrad of its initial position.
For Comparison: To get a 1 µrad change in the mount’s position, the 130 TPI adjuster on the POLARIS-K05 Ø1/2" Polaris mount needs to be rotated by only 0.033° (1/11 000 of a turn). A highly skilled operator might be able to make an adjustment as small as 0.3° (1/1200 of a turn), which corresponds to 6 µrad.
Conclusions: The Polaris Mirror Mounts are high-quality, ultra-stable mounts that will reliably return a mirror to its original position after cycling through a temperature change. As a result, the Polaris mounts are ideal for use in applications that require long-term alignment stability.
![POLARIS-K05 Thermal Data](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Polaris-K05_thermalreliability_both_800_A1.gif)
Click to Enlarge
Thermal Repeatability for Ø1/2", 3-Adjuster Polaris Mirror Mount
![POLARIS-K05S1 and POLARIS-K05S2 Thermal Data](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Polaris-K05S1_K05S2_thermalreliability_both_800_A1.gif)
Click to Enlarge
Thermal Repeatability for Ø1/2", 2-Adjuster Polaris Mirror Mounts
![Polaris-K05S2 Thermal Shock Tests](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/POLARIS-K05S2_MultiTest_400.gif)
Click to Enlarge
The plot above shows the final angular position of the POLARIS-K05S2 for 39 consecutive thermal shock tests. The change in temperature is the difference between the starting temperature and the temperature at the end of the test and includes factors such as the variation in room temperature.
![POLARIS-K05VS2 Thermal Data](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/POLARIS-K05VS2_Thermal_Repeatability_G1-800.gif)
Click to Enlarge
Thermal Repeatability for the POLARIS-K05VS2 Mount
The POLARIS-K05VS2L mount shows similar performance.
![](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/tabimages/Polaris_05in_Features_A3-250.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
Design Features of Polaris Mounts with Flexure Spring Optic Retention and Horizontal Adjusters
Several common factors typically lead to beam misalignment in an optical setup. These include temperature-induced hysteresis of the mirror's position, crosstalk, drift, and backlash. Polaris mirror mounts are designed specifically to minimize these misalignment factors and thus provide extremely stable performance. Hours of extensive research, multiple design efforts using sophisticated design tools, and months of rigorous testing went into choosing the best components to provide an ideal solution for experiments requiring ultra-stable performance from a kinematic mirror mount.
Thermal Hysteresis
The temperature in most labs is not constant due to factors such as air conditioning, the number of people in the room, and the operating states of equipment. Thus, it is necessary that all mounts used in an alignment-sensitive optical setup be designed to minimize any thermally induced alignment effects. Thermal effects can be minimized by choosing materials with a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), like stainless steel. However, even mounts made from a material with a low CTE do not typically return the mirror to its initial position when the initial temperature is restored. All the critical components of the Polaris mirror mounts are heat treated prior to assembly since this process removes internal stresses that can cause a temperature-dependent hysteresis. As a result, the alignment of the optical system will be restored when the temperature of the mirror mount is returned to the initial temperature.
The method by which the mirror is secured in the mount is another important design factor for Polaris mounts; these mounts offer excellent performance without the use of adhesives. Instead, our POLARIS-K05, -K05S1, and -K05S2 mounts use a flexure spring that is pressed onto the edge of the mirror using a setscrew. Setscrews, when used by themselves to hold an optic, tend to move as the temperature changes. In contrast, the holding force provided by the stainless steel flat spring is sufficient to keep the mirror locked into place regardless of the ambient temperature. The POLARIS-K05VS2 and POLARIS-K05VS2L vertical drive mounts feature a patented optic bore design with a monolithic flexure arm to secure the optic.
Crosstalk
Crosstalk is minimized by carefully controlling the dimensional tolerances of the front and back plates of the mount so that the pitch and yaw actuators are orthogonal. In addition, sapphire seats are used at all three contact points. Standard metal-to-metal actuator contact points will wear down over time. The polished sapphire seats of the Polaris mounts, in conjunction with the hardened stainless steel actuator tips, maintain the integrity of the contact surfaces over time.
Drift and Backlash
In order to minimize the positional drift of the mirror mount and backlash, it is necessary to limit the amount of play in the adjuster as well as the amount of lubricant used. When an adjustment is made to the actuator, the lubricant will be squeezed out of some spaces and built up in others. This non-equilibrium distribution of lubricant will slowly relax back into an equilibrium state. However, in doing so, this may cause the position of the front plate of the mount to move. The Polaris mounts use adjusters matched to the body or bushings that exceed all industry standards so very little adjuster lubricant is needed. As a result, alignment of the Polaris mounts is extremely stable even after being adjusted (see the Test Data tab for more information). In addition, these adjusters have a smooth feel that allows the user to make small, repeatable adjustments.
Cleanroom and Vacuum Compatibility
All Polaris mounts sold on this page are designed to be compatible with cleanroom and vacuum applications. They are chemically cleaned using the Carpenter AAA passivation method to remove sulfur, iron, and contaminants from the surface. After passivation, they are assembled in a clean environment and then double vacuum bagged to eliminate contamination when transported into a cleanroom.
![Double Vacuum Bagging for Polaris Mounts](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Polaris_vacuumbag_A1-150.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
Polaris Mounts are Shipped Inside Two Vacuum Bag Layers
The sapphire contacts are bonded into place using a NASA-approved low outgassing procedure. In addition, DuPont LVP High-Vacuum (Krytox) Grease, an ultra-high vacuum compatible, low outgassing PTFE grease, is applied to the adjusters. These features provide high vacuum compatibility and low outgassing performance. When operating at pressures below 10-5 Torr, we highly recommend using an appropriate bake out procedure prior to installing the mount in order to minimize contamination caused by outgassing. Please note that the 8-32 and M4 cap screws included with the Polaris mounts are not rated for pressures below 10-5 Torr.
Cleanroom-Compatible Packaging
Each vacuum-compatible Polaris mount is packaged within two vacuum bag layers after assembly in a clean environment, as seen in the image to the right. The vacuum-tight fit of the bags stabilizes the mount, limiting translation of the front plate due to shocks during transportation. The tight fit also minimizes rubbing against the bag, preventing the introduction of bag material shavings that would contaminate the clean mount.
In the vacuum-sealing process, moisture-containing air is drawn out of the packaging. This eliminates unwanted reactions on the surface of the mount without the need for desiccant materials. The vacuum bags protect the mount from contamination by air or dust during transport and storage, and the double-vacuum bag configuration allows for a straightforward and effective cleanroom entry procedure. The outer bag can be removed outside of the cleanroom, allowing the contaminant-free inner bag to be placed into a clean container and transferred into the cleanroom while retaining the benefits of vacuum-bag packaging. Inside the cleanroom, the mount can be removed from the inner bag when ready for use.
![Polaris 1/2" mounted on 1" post](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Polaris_Post_Mirror_Mount_A2-150.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
A POLARIS-K05 mount can be mounted to a surface using a Ø1" Post for Polaris Mirror Mounts and a Polaris Clamping Arm. Using a 1.50" long post, the optical axis is 2.0" above the table surface.
![Optic Distortion as a Result of Torque](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/POLARIS-K05VS2_Mounting_Torque_G1-330.gif)
Click to Enlarge
The shaded 8 - 12 oz-in region in this plot denotes the recommended optic mounting torque for a 6 mm thick optic in the POLARIS-K05VS2 Ø1/2" mount. Over torquing the monolithic flexure arm past the recommended range can result in a significant increase in the surface distortion of mounted optics.
Through thermal changes and vibrations, the Polaris® kinematic mirror mounts are designed to provide years of use. Below are some usage tips to ensure that the mount provides optimal performance.
Match Materials
Due to its relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion, stainless steel was chosen as the material from which to fabricate the front and back plates of the Polaris mounts. When mounting, we recommend using components fabricated from the same material, such as our Ø1" Posts for Polaris Mirror Mounts and Polaris Clamping Arm.
Use a Wide Post
The Polaris' performance is optimized for use with our Ø1" Posts and our
Optic Mounting
Since an optic is prone to movement within its mounting bore, all optics should be mounted with the Polaris out of the setup to ensure accurate mounting that will minimize misalignment effects. We recommend using a torque wrench when installing an optic in the Polaris mounts. Over torquing the optic retainer can result in dramatic surface distortions (see the graph to the left for an example using the POLARIS-K05VS2 mount).
Front Plate’s Position
To achieve the best performance, it is recommended that the front plate be kept as close to parallel to the back plate as possible. This ensures the highest stability of the adjustments.
Mount as Close to the Table’s Surface as Possible
To minimize the impact of vibrations and temperature changes, it is recommended that your setup has as low of a profile as possible. Using short posts will reduce the Y-axis translation caused by temperature variations and will minimize any movements caused by vibrations. Mount the Polaris directly onto a flat surface such as a breadboard using a 1/4"-20 to 8-32 thread adapter (AE8E25E) or M6 x 1.0 to M4 x 0.7 adapter (AE4M6M). By doing so, the instability introduced by a post will be eliminated.
Polish and Clean the Points of Contact
We highly recommend that the points of contact between the mount and the post, as well as the post and the table, are clean and free of scratches or defects. For best results, we recommend using a polishing stone to clean the table’s surface and a LFG1P polishing pad for the top and bottom of the post as well as the bottom of the mount.
Not Recommended
We do not recommend taking the adjusters out of the back plate, as it can contaminate the threading. This can reduce the fine adjustment performance significantly. Also, do not pull the front plate away as it might stretch the springs beyond their operating range or crack the sapphire seats. Finally, do not over tighten the retaining screw that secures the optic; only slight force is required to secure the optic in place.
Posted Comments: | |
Juan Luis Frieiro Castro
 (posted 2023-10-27 11:20:27.057) We have made a purchase of this Polaris-K05S1 from ALBA Synchrotron. Our purchase order number is 202302940.
The order was made for 5 units of this support, but we have only received 1 of them.
In addition, we cannot use them for our designed application. The description of the support says that: "Due to the shallow design of the counterbores, low-profile 8-32 and M4 cap screws are included for mounting without obstructing the transmissive beam path."
The transmissive beam path is defined to a diameter of 11.4 mm in the drawing of the part. Despite this, both provided screws interfere with this diameter, specially the M4 required for our application. To give context, the part we want to hold has a diameter of 12.7 mm, with reductions to 10 mm at both sides. When held in the support, the screw interferes with the part, not allowing for adjustment of the respective angle. This should not occur until 11.4 mm in diameter.
We need a solution for these screws. Possible solutions I can think of are either to provide new screws with heads that fit the description not "obstructing the transmissive beam path" (11.4 mm), or a modification of the support, increasing the depth of the counterbore to house the screw heads. Please consider that the use of non-standard parts as it is the case limits the availability of replacements.
Please, also review the number of supports that should be delivered to the order number I mentioned.
I hope to hear from you soon. The present configuration is wrong according to your description and now useless to us. It would be time consuming for me to search for alternatives in other providers,
Dr. Juan Luis Frieiro Castro. cdolbashian
 (posted 2023-11-13 01:54:24.0) Thank you for reaching out to us with this inquiry. The statement "...Low-profile 8-32 and M4 cap screws are included for mounting without obstructing the transmissive beam path...", is indeed incorrect, as the included low profile screws still obstruct the beam path, reducing the CA to ~8.5mm diameter, rather than the advertised 11.4mm. It is possible to use "ultra-low profile screws" to achieve this, as their cap height of just 1.3mm will allow the full CA of 11.4mm. We do not, however, include these in the shipped parts, as testing has shown that the stability provided with the ultra-low profile cap screws reduces the ad-advertised performance for the Polaris-line of products. I have contacted you directly to find a solution for you in this particular situation. In the future, we will be removing the statement about the low profile screws related to the CA. |
Thorlabs offers several different general varieties of Polaris mounts, including kinematic side optic retention, SM-threaded, low optic distortion, piezo-actuated, vertical drive, and glue-in optic mounts, a fixed monolithic mirror mount and fixed optic mounts, XY translation mounts, 5-axis kinematic mount, and a kinematic platform mount. Refer to the tables below for our complete line of Polaris mounts, grouped by mount type, optic bore size, and then arranged by optic retention method and adjuster type (or intended application in the case of fixed mounts). We also offer a line of accessories that have been specifically designed for use with our Polaris mounts; these are listed in the table to the lower right. Note that the tables below list Item # suffixes that omit the "POLARIS" prefix for brevity. Click the photos below for details.
Polaris Mount Adjuster Types | |||||
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Side Hole | Hex | Adjuster Knobs | Adjuster Lock Nuts |
Piezo Adjusters | Vertical-Drive Adjusters |
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Polaris Kinematic Mounts for Round Optics | ||||
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Optic Retention Method | Side Lock | SM Threaded | Low Distortion | Glue-In |
Ø1/2" Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | - | - | - | -K05C4 -K05G4 |
2 Hex Adjusters | -K05S1 | -K05T1 | -K05F1 | - |
2 Adjusters with Lock Nuts | -K05S2 | -K05T2 | -K05F2 | - |
2 Piezoelectric Adjusters | -K05P2 | - | - | - |
2 Vertical Adjusters | -K05VS2 -K05VS2L |
- | - | - |
3 Hex Adjusters | -K05 | - | - | - |
3 Adjusters with Lock Nuts | - | -K05T6 | -K05F6 | - |
3 Adjuster Knobs (Tip/Tilt/Z) & 2 Hex Adjusters (X/Y) |
- | -K05XY | - | - |
Ø19 mm (3/4") Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | -K19S4 | - | -K19F4/M | -K19G4 |
Ø25 mm Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | -K25S4/M | - | -K25F4/M | - |
Ø1" Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | -K1S4 | - | - | -K1C4 -K1G4 |
2 Hex Adjusters | -K1E2 -K1-2AH |
-K1T2 | -K1F2 | - |
2 Adjuster Knobs | - | -K1T1 | -K1F1 | - |
2 Piezoelectric Adjusters | -K1S2P | - | - | - |
2 Vertical Adjusters | -K1VS2 -K1VS2L |
- | - | - |
3 Side Hole Adjuster | -K1S5 | - | - | - |
3 Hex Adjusters | -K1E3 -K1-H |
-K1T3 | - | - |
3 Adjuster Knobs | -K1E -K1 |
-K1T | -K1F | - |
3 Piezoelectric Adjusters | -K1S3P | - | - | - |
3 Adjuster Knobs (Tip/Tilt/Z) & 2 Hex Adjusters (X/Y) |
- | -K1XY | - | - |
Optic Retention Method | Side Lock | SM Threaded | Low Distortion | Glue-In |
Ø1.5" Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | -K15S4 | - | -K15F4 | - |
2 Vertical Adjusters | -K15VS2 -K15VS2L |
- | - | - |
3 Adjuster Knobs (Tip/Tilt/Z) & 2 Hex Adjusters (X/Y) |
- | -K15XY | - | - |
Ø50 mm Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | -K50S4/M | - | -K50F4/M | - |
Ø2" Optics | ||||
2 Hex Adjusters | -K2S2 | -K2T2 | -K2F2 | - |
2 Adjuster Knobs | -K2S1 | -K2T1 | -K2F1 | - |
2 Piezoelectric Adjusters | -K2S2P | - | - | - |
2 Vertical Adjusters | -K2VS2 -K2VS2L |
- | - | - |
3 Hex Adjusters | -K2S3 | -K2T3 | -K2F3 | - |
3 Adjuster Knobs | -K2 | -K2T | -K2F | - |
Ø3" Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | -K3S4 | - | - | - |
3 Side Hole Adjusters | -K3S5 | - | - | - |
Ø4" Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | - | - | -K4F4 | - |
Ø6" Optics | ||||
2 Side Hole Adjusters | - | - | -K6F4 | - |
Polaris XY Translation Mounts for Round Optics | ||
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Optic Retention Method | SM Threaded | Representative Photos |
Ø1/2" Optics | ![]() ![]() |
|
2 Hex Adjusters (X/Y) | -05XY | |
3 Adjuster Knobs (Tip/Tilt/Z) & 2 Hex Adjusters (X/Y) |
-K05XY | |
Ø1" Optics | ||
2 Hex Adjusters (X/Y) | -1XY | |
3 Adjuster Knobs (Tip/Tilt/Z) & 2 Hex Adjusters (X/Y) |
-K1XY | |
Ø1.5" Optics | ||
2 Hex Adjusters (X/Y) & 3 Adjuster Knobs (Tip/Tilt/Z) |
-K15XY |
Polaris Fixed Mounts for Round Optics | ||||||
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Optic Retention Method | Side Lock | Low Distortion |
Glue-In | Representative Photos |
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Ø1/2" Optics | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Optimized for Mirrors | - | -B05F | -C05G | |||
Optimized for Beamsplitters | -B05S | - | -B05G | |||
Optimized for Lenses | - | - | -L05G | |||
Ø19 mm (Ø3/4") Optics | ||||||
Optimized for Mirrors | -19S50/M | - | - | |||
Ø1" Optics | ||||||
Optimized for Mirrors | - | -B1F | -C1G | |||
Optimized for Beamsplitters | -B1S | - | -B1G | |||
Optimized for Lenses | - | - | -L1G | |||
Ø2" Optics | ||||||
Optimized for Mirrors | - | -B2F | -C2G | |||
Optimized for Beamsplitters | -B2S | - | - |
Polaris Kinematic 1.8" x 1.8" Platform Mount | ||
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Optomech Retention Method | Tapped Holes & Counterbores |
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2 Adjuster Knobs | -K1M4(/M) |
Accessories for Polaris Mounts | |
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Description | Representative Photos |
Ø1/2" Posts for Polaris Mounts | ![]() |
Ø1" Posts for Polaris Mounts | |
Non-Bridging Clamping Arms | ![]() |
45° Mounting Adapter | ![]() |
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- 3-Adjuster Hex-Driven Design
- Designed for Use with Ø1/2" Opticsa
- 130 TPI Matched Actuator/Body Pairs
- ±5° Mechanical Angular Range
- ~11 mrad/rev Resolution
- Less than 2 µrad Deviation after Temperature Cycling (See the Test Data Tab for Details)
- 1" Wide Compact Footprint
- Flexure Spring and Setscrew Retain Optic with Low Distortion
This Ø1/2" 3-Adjuster Standard Polaris Kinematic Mirror Mount is designed to provide easy high-resolution adjustment and long-term alignment stability. The Polaris integrated matched adjuster/body design results in greater durability and thermal performance compared to non-Polaris mirror mounts. The flexure spring and setscrew that retain the optic can be adjusted using a 1/16" (1.5 mm) hex key. Kinematic adjustment is provided by three 130 TPI adjusters. These adjusters have a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex and may be adjusted with our HKTS-5/64 Hex Key Thumbscrew (sold below) or any other 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex wrench. The three-adjuster design provides tip and tilt plus Z-axis (optical axis) adjustment. A two-adjuster version is also available below.
Post mounting is provided by two #8 (M4) counterbores. For custom mounting configurations, Ø2 mm alignment pin holes are located on both sides of each counterbore for setting a precise location and mounting angle. Standard DIN 7-m6 ground dowel pins are recommended (see the red documents icon below for details). We recommend using this mount with a stainless steel post that also has Ø2 mm alignment pin holes, such as our Ø1" Posts for Polaris Mirror Mounts. Due to the shallow design of the counterbores, low-profile 8-32 and M4 cap screws are included for mounting. Note that the 8-32 cap screw reduces the clear aperture to 0.39" (9.9 mm) and the M4 cap screw reduces it to 0.34" (8.6 mm). The 8-32 cap screw accepts a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex wrench, while the M4 cap screw accepts a 1/10" (2.5 mm) hex wrench.
This mount is not compatible with adjuster lock nuts.
a. These mounts are designed for Ø1/2" optics. If they are used with a Ø12.5 mm optic, or an optic with an outer diameter tolerance greater than zero, then performance will be diminished. Mounts for Ø12.5 mm optics are available by contacting Tech Support.
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![Polaris-K05S2](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/POLARIS_K05S2_A2-150.jpg)
Click for Details
POLARIS-K05S2 Mount with Mirror Installed
- 2-Adjuster Hex-Driven Design
- Designed for Use with Ø1/2" Opticsa
- 130 TPI Matched Actuator/Body Pairs
- Low-Profile or Standard-Profile Adjusters
- ±5° Mechanical Angular Range
- ~11 mrad/rev Resolution
- Less than 2 µrad Deviation after Temperature Cycling (See the Test Data Tab for Details)
- 1" Wide Compact Footprint
- Flexure Spring and Setscrew Retain Optic with Low Distortion
These 2-adjuster Ø1/2" Standard Polaris Kinematic Mirror Mounts are similar to the standard hex-driven 3-adjuster version sold above but feature a hardened steel ball in place of the third adjuster. The flexure spring and setscrew that retain the optic can be adjusted using a 1/16" (1.5 mm) hex key. The 2-adjuster design improves mount stability by limiting the available degrees of freedom for movement. An integrated matched adjuster/body design results in greater durability and thermal performance compared to non-Polaris mirror mounts.
For fitting into tight spaces, the POLARIS-K05S1 mount is equipped with low-profile hex adjusters that are 0.15" (3.8 mm) shorter than the adjusters on the POLARIS-K05S2; due to the shorter adjusters, the POLARIS-K05S1 is not compatible with lock nuts. These adjusters have a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex and may be adjusted with our HKTS-5/64 Hex Key Thumbscrew (sold below) or any other 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex wrench. The POLARIS-K05S2 mount has standard-profile hex adjusters and includes two POLARIS-LN05 adjuster lock nuts, which can be tightened using a 6 mm open-ended wrench. For applications that require frequent tuning of the adjusters, the lock nuts only need to be lightly tightened to a torque of approximately 4 to 8 oz-in (0.03 to 0.06 N·m). For long term stability, we recommend tightening to a torque of 24 oz-in, which can be achieved by using our TW6 preset torque wrench (sold below).
Post mounting is provided by two #8 (M4) counterbores. For custom mounting configurations, Ø2 mm alignment pin holes are located on both sides of each counterbore for setting a precise location and mounting angle. Standard DIN 7-m6 ground dowel pins are recommended (see the red documents icon below for details). We recommend using this mount with a stainless steel post that also has Ø2 mm alignment pin holes, such as our Ø1" Posts for Polaris Mirror Mounts. Due to the shallow design of the counterbores, low-profile 8-32 and M4 cap screws are included for mounting. Note that the 8-32 cap screw reduces the clear aperture to 0.39" (9.9 mm) and the M4 cap screw reduces it to 0.34" (8.6 mm). The 8-32 cap screw accepts a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex wrench, while the M4 cap screw accepts a 1/10" (2.5 mm) hex wrench.
a. These mounts are designed for Ø1/2" optics. If they are used with a Ø12.5 mm optic, or an optic with an outer diameter tolerance greater than zero, then performance will be diminished. Mounts for Ø12.5 mm optics are available by contacting Tech Support.
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- 2 Hex-Driven Vertical Adjusters (US Patent 11,320,621)
- Designed for Use with Ø1/2" Opticsa
- Patented Monolithic Flexure Arm Design for Minimal Optic Distortion (US Patent 10,101,559,
See the Test Data Tab for Details) - 130 TPI Matched Actuator/Body Pairs
- +3°/-2.5° Mechanical Angular Range
- ~11 mrad/rev Resolution
- Less than 2 µrad Deviation after Temperature Cycling (See the Test Data Tab for Details)
- Right- and Left-Handed Versions Available
These 2-Adjuster Ø1/2" Polaris Kinematic Mirror Mounts provide long-term stability and high-resolution adjustment using vertical drives. This design allows for adjustment in situations where there may not be space behind the mount for horizontal access to the adjusters. The monolithic front plates and stiff springs make these mounts ideal for OEM applications that require reliable operation in rugged environments. Right-handed and left-handed versions are available.
To secure an optic, each mount uses a monolithic flexure arm that can be actuated using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key. The monolithic flexure arm design keeps wavefront distortion on the mounted optic to a minimum while providing strong optic retention force (see the Test Data tab for details).
The 130 TPI adjusters feature a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex and may be adjusted with our HKTS-5/64 hex key thumbscrews, the hex on the end of the SA1 adjustment tool, or any other 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex wrench. These adjusters can be locked using the POLARIS-LNS05 locking collars. Two are pre-installed on each mount, one for each adjuster. The included locking collars can be loosened or tightened most easily using the POLARIS-T3 spanner wrench. The spanner wrench has a hole through its center which accepts a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex key, allowing the adjuster to be held in place while the locking collar is tightened. For long-term stability, we recommend tightening to a torque of 32 oz-in, which can be achieved by using our TW13 preset torque wrench.
Post mounting is provided by a #8 (M4) counterbore. Due to the shallow design of the counterbore, low-profile 8-32 and M4 cap screws are included for securing the mount to a post. Note that the 8-32 cap screw reduces the clear aperture to 0.39" (9.9 mm) and the M4 cap screw reduces it to 0.34" (8.6 mm). For custom mounting configurations, two Ø2 mm alignment pin holes are located on the mounting face for setting a precise location and mounting angle. Standard DIN 7-m6 ground dowel pins are recommended (click on the red documents icon below for details). We recommend using these mounts with stainless steel posts that also have Ø2 mm alignment pin holes, such as our Ø1" Posts for Polaris Mirror Mounts.
Mounts can also be customized with different face plates, such as those used in our in our low-distortion optic retention mounts, or with back plates that have mounting and alignment pin holes on the adjacent side so that the adjusters are oriented horizontally. Please contact Tech Support with inquiries.
a. These mounts are designed for Ø1/2" optics. If they are used with a Ø12.5 mm optic, or an optic with an outer diameter tolerance greater than zero, then performance will be diminished. Vertical-drive mounts for Ø12.5 mm optics are available by contacting Tech Support
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- For Convenient Adjustment of 5/64" and 2 mm Hex-Driven Actuators
- Red Anodized Adjustment Knob with Engraved Hex Size
- Replaceable Hex Tip
- Sold in Packages of 4
These 5/64" Hex Key Adjuster Thumbscrews allow for quick adjustment of many 5/64" and 2 mm hex-driven actuators (or standard actuators with the knobs removed). These temporary knobs can be left in the screw's hex socket between adjustments for convenience (see photo to the right). An 8-32 setscrew (5/64" hex) secures the replaceable hex bit, which can be reversed if the tip is stripped. Contact Tech Support to order replacement hex key bits.
We offer hex key thumbscrews in sizes from 0.050" to 3/16" and 2 mm to 5 mm.
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To install a lock nut without cross threading, gently place the lock nut against the end of the adjuster. "Unscrew" the nut until the threads of the nut and the adjuster align before threading the nut onto the adjuster. This animation shows the installation of a POLARIS-LN1 lock nut on a POLARIS-K1F1 low distortion mount.
![](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/tabimages/Polaris_Lock_Nuts_A1-150.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
POLARIS-LN05 Lock Nuts on a POLARIS-K19S4 Mount
- Provide Long Term Adjuster Stability
- Compatible with Select Polaris Mounts
These lock nuts are designed for use with Polaris mounts with 3/16"-130 adjusters. Designed for long-term adjuster stability or applications that are exposed to shock and vibration, these lock nuts are pre-greased with the same ultra-high-vacuum-compatible, low-outgassing PTFE grease as the Polaris mounts and have been tested for adjuster fit.
For applications that require frequent tuning of the adjusters, the lock nuts only need to be lightly tightened by hand to a torque of approximately 4 to 8 oz-in (0.03 to 0.06 N·m). For long term stability, we recommend tightening to a torque of 24 oz-in, which can be achieved by using our TW6 preset torque wrench (sold below). POLARIS-LN05 lock nuts require a 6 mm hex tool for tightening. To avoid cross threading the lock nut, place it against the adjuster and "unscrew" the lock nut until you feel a slight drop; then thread the lock nut onto the adjuster.
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- Provides Long-Term Adjuster Stability
- Compatible with Select Polaris Mounts
- Low Profile: Ø0.25" (Ø6.4 mm) x 0.05" (1.3 mm) Thick
- Tighten Along Rotational Axis Using the POLARIS-T3 Spanner Wrench
The POLARIS-LNS05 locking collar is compatible with Polaris mounts that have 3/16"-130 adjusters, excluding the piezo-driven mounts and mounts with low-profile adjusters (Item #s POLARIS-K05 and POLARIS-K05S1). Designed for long-term adjuster stability or applications that are exposed to shock and vibration, these locking collars are pre-greased with the same ultra-high-vacuum-compatible, low-outgassing PTFE grease as the Polaris mounts and have been tested for adjuster fit.
The POLARIS-T3 spanner wrench has been specifically designed for use in securing the POLARIS-LNS05 locking collar. The double spanner head enables complete engagement while the design allows locking collar adjustments to be along the same line as the adjuster itself. A center through hole allows a 2 mm ball driver to pass through the spanner wrench, so that the adjuster can be held in position while the locking collar is engaged.
For applications that require frequent tuning of the adjusters, the locking collar only needs to be lightly tightened to a torque of approximately 4 to 8 oz-in (0.03 to 0.06 N·m). For long-term stability, we recommend tightening to a torque of 32 oz-in, which can be achieved by using our TW13 preset torque wrench (sold below) in combination with the POLARIS-T3 spanner wrench. To avoid cross threading the locking collar, place it against the adjuster and "unscrew" the collar until you feel a slight drop; then thread the collar onto the adjuster.
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![Torque Wrench Engravings](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/TW13_Torque_Wrench_A2-250.jpg)
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Each wrench is engraved with its preset torque value and Item #.
![Torque Wrench in Use](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/TorqueWrench_TW6_w_LockNuts_A2-150.jpg)
Click for Details
TW6 Torque Wrench Used to Secure POLARIS-LN05 Lock Nut on POLARIS-K05T2 Mirror Mount
- Preset Wrenches for Polaris Lock Nuts & Spanner Wrenches (See Table Below for Compatibility):
- TW6: 6 mm Hex, 24 oz-in
- TW13: 13 mm Hex, 32 oz-in
- Break-Over Design Ensures Proper Torque is Applied
- Ideal for Applications Requiring Long-Term Locking
These torque wrenches have a preset torque value to secure the lock nuts on Polaris mounts for long-term locking; see the table below for specifications. When the preset torque value has been achieved, the break-over design will cause the pivoting joint to "break," as shown to the lower right. The wrench's hex head will move back into place once the force is removed. This design prevents further force from being applied to the lock nut. Engraved guidelines indicate the angle the wrench should pivot in order to apply the specified torque; pivoting the handle past these guidelines will over-torque the lock nut. Each wrench is also engraved with its preset torque value, torque direction, wrench size, and Item # for easy identification in the field.
These wrenches are designed to be compatible with cleanroom and vacuum chamber applications. They are chemically cleaned using the Carpenter AAA passivation method to remove sulfur, iron, and contaminants from the surface. After passivation, they are assembled in a clean environment and double vacuum bagged to eliminate contamination when transported into a cleanroom. Every wrench has a bead-blasted finish to minimize reflections when working with setups that include lasers.
Please note that these wrenches are not intended for use in applications where adjusters are frequently tuned, as these applications typically require torque values of 4 to 8 oz-in (0.03 to 0.06 N·m).
Item # | Hex | Torque | Torque Accuracy | Compatible Items |
---|---|---|---|---|
TW6 | 6 mm | 24 oz-in (0.17 N•m) | ±1.44 oz-in (0.010 N•m) | POLARIS-LN05 3/16"-130 Lock Nut |
TW13 | 13 mm | 32 oz-in (0.23 N•m) | ±1.92 oz-in (0.014 N•m) | POLARIS-LN1 1/4"-100 Lock Nut POLARIS-LN4 3/8"-100 Lock Nut POLARIS-T2 Spanner Wrench for POLARIS-LNS1 Locking Collar POLARIS-T3 Spanner Wrench for POLARIS-LNS05 Locking Collar |