D4T Dovetail Adapters for 30 mm Cage and SM1 Lens Tube Systems
![](https://www.thorlabs.de/Images/GuideImages/15462_DovetailAdapters_1.jpg)
- Quickly Add or Remove PMTs, Cameras, Optics, and Other Components
from 30 mm Cage or SM1 (1.035"-40) Lens Tube Systems - Male D4T Dovetail Adapters with External C-Mount (1.000"-32) or SM1 Threads
- 30 mm Cage Plate and SM1 Lens Tube Adapter with Female D4T Dovetails
- Dovetail Design Allows Components to be Rotated 360°
DTCP1
30 mm Cage Plate with
Female D4T Dovetail
DT105
Male D4T Dovetail,
External SM1 Threads,
Internal SM05 Threads
DTSM1
SM1 Lens Tube Adapter with
Female D4T Dovetail
DTC08
Male D4T Dovetail,
External C-Mount Threads,
Ø0.80 Smooth Bore
![](../../images/loading-red.gif)
Please Wait
![Cage-Mounted PMT1002](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/LensTube_Mounted_PMT_A1-200.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
Pairs of dovetail adapters can be used to connect lens-tube-based optical assemblies of filters and lenses to PMTs or cameras. In this example, a bandpass filter is used to limit the wavelengths incident on a PMT.
![Cage-Mounted PMT1002](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Cage_Mounted_PMT_A5-200.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
A PMT is mounted in a 30 mm Cage System via a DTCP1(/M) Cage Plate.
Features
- Male D4T Dovetail Adapters:
- External C-Mount or SM1 Threads for Mounting Components Such as Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs) and Scientific Cameras
- Internal SM05 Threads for Mounting Optics or a Ø0.80" Smooth Bore
- 30 mm Cage Plate and SM1 Lens Tube Adapter Accept Male D4T Dovetails
- Dovetail Mounting Allows Components to be Rotated up to 360° for Alignment Adjustment
These D4T Dovetail Adapters with external C-mount* or SM1 threads can be mounted in the compatible DTCP1(/M) 30 mm Cage Plate or DTSM1 SM1 Lens Tube Adapter, enabling PMTs and scientific cameras to be quickly added to or removed from optical systems constructed using our optomechanical components. Additionally, the dovetail design of these adapters allows a mounted component to be rotated up to 360° for alignment adjustments, while also not requiring the mounted part to be rotated when adding or removing it from a system.
Male D4T Dovetail Adapters
These stainless steel adapters have external C-mount threads or SM1 threads for connecting components such as cameras and PMTs, as well as either internal SM05 threads or Ø0.80" smooth bores.
30 mm Cage and SM1 Lens Tube System Mounts for D4T Dovetails
Thorlabs offers two options for mounting the Male D4T Dovetail Adapters. The DTCP1(/M) Cage Plate can be integrated into a 30 mm cage system via four through holes for ER cage rods, and also features 8-32 (M4) threads for post mounting. The DTSM1 Lens Tube Adapter has external SM1 threads on one side, allowing it to be threaded directly onto Ø1" Lens Tubes and other SM1-threaded components. A D4T male dovetail installed in the cage plate or lens tube adapter can be locked in place using a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex setscrew on the side of the component.
*Note that C-mount and CS-mount standards both use 1.000"-32 threads; however, C-mount lenses have a flange focal distance (FFD) that is 5 mm longer than the FFD of CS-mount lenses, which may need to be taken into account when integrating lenses and cameras into optical systems.
Thorlabs Dovetail Reference a | |||
---|---|---|---|
Type | Shape | Outer Dimension | Angle |
95 mm | Linear | 95 mm | 45° |
D1N | Circular | Ø2.018" | 60° |
D2Nb | Circular | Ø1.50" | 90° |
D2NBb | Circular | Ø1.50" | 90° |
D3N | Circular | Ø45 mm | 70° |
D5N | Circular | Ø1.58" | 90° |
D6N | Circular | Ø1.90" | 90° |
D7N | Circular | Ø2.05" | 90° |
D1T | Circular | Ø1.50" | 60° |
D3T | Circular | Ø1.65" | 90° |
D4T | Circular | Ø1.20" | 90° |
D1Y | Circular | Ø107 mm | 60° |
D2Y | Circular | Ø2.32" | 50° |
D3Y | Circular | Ø1.75" | 90° |
D4Y | Circular | Ø56 mm | 60° |
D5Y | Circular | Ø46 mm | 60° |
D6Y | Circular | Ø41.9 mm | 45° |
D1Z | Circular | Ø54 mm | 60° |
D2Z | Circular | Ø57 mm | 60° |
D3Z | Circular | Ø54 mm | 45° |
![Mating Circular Dovetails](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/D1N_Body_Dovetail_A3-200.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
This photo shows the male D1N dovetail on the CERNA® trinoculars next to the female D1N dovetail on the epi-illumination arm.
![Mating Linear Dovetails](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Linear_Microscope_Dovetail_A1-200.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
This photo shows the male 95 mm dovetail on a microscope body and the female 95 mm dovetail on the CSA1002 Fixed Arm.
Introduction to Dovetail Connectors
Dovetails are used for mechanical mating and optical port alignment of microscope components, PMT Sensors, and Scientific Cameras. Components are connected by inserting one dovetail into another, then tightening one or more locking setscrews on the female dovetail. Dovetails come in two shapes: linear and circular. Linear dovetails allow the mating components to slide before being locked down, providing flexible positioning options while limiting unneeded degrees of freedom. Circular dovetails align optical ports on different components, maintaining a single optical axis with minimal user intervention.
Thorlabs manufactures many components which use dovetails to mate with our own components or those of other manufacturers. To make it easier to identify dovetail compatibility, we have developed a set of dovetail designations. The naming convention of these designations is used only by Thorlabs and not other microscope manufacturers. The table to the right lists all the dovetails Thorlabs makes, along with their key dimensions.
To learn which dovetail type(s) are on a particular component, consult its mechanical drawing, available by clicking on the red Docs icon () below. For adapters with a female dovetail, the drawing also indicates the size of the hex key needed for the locking setscrew(s). It is important to note that mechanical compatibility does not ensure optical compatibility. Information on optical compatibility is available from Thorlabs' web presentations.
For customers interested in machining their own dovetails, the table to the right gives the outer diameter and angle (as defined by the drawings below) of each Thorlabs dovetail designation. However, the dovetail's height must be determined by the user, and for circular dovetails, the user must also determine the inner diameter and bore diameter. These quantities can vary for dovetails of the same type. One can use the intended mating part to verify compatibility.
In order to reduce wear and simplify connections, dovetails are often machined with chamfers, recesses, and other mechanical features. Some examples of these variations are shown by the drawings below.
![Male Microscope Dovetails](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Male_Dovetail_Examples_D1-400.gif)
Click to Enlarge
Two examples of how circular male dovetails can be manufactured.
![Female Microscope Dovetails](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Female_Dovetail_Examples_D1-400.gif)
Click to Enlarge
Two examples of how circular female dovetails can be manufactured.
Posted Comments: | |
Richard Eichinger
 (posted 2023-10-30 16:33:14.927) I just received a DTCP1 but it was missing all the screws. There should have been M4 SETSCREW 5/64in [2.0mm] HEX 4 PLACES and a M4 BRASS CONE TIPPED LOCKING SETSCREW 5/64in [2.0mm] HEX
1 PLACE
Can you help? jpolaris
 (posted 2023-11-03 12:33:11.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I am sorry that you received a DTCP1 that was missing its set screw components. I have reached out to you directly to discuss the best way to resolve this issue. |
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- Male D4T Dovetail for Quickly Connecting to DTCP1(/M) 30 mm Cage Plate or DTSM1 SM1 Lens Tube Adapter
- External C-Mount or SM1 Threads for Mounting PMTs, Scientific Cameras, or Other Components
- Internal SM05 Threads or Ø0.80" Smooth Bore Through the Center of the Adapter
- Stainless Steel
These Male D4T Dovetail Adapters feature external C-mount or SM1 threads, making them compatible with PMTs and scientific cameras, and either internal SM05 threads or a smooth Ø0.80" bore. The D4T male dovetail allows for quick attachment to the DTCP1(/M) 30 mm Cage Plate or the DTSM1 Lens Tube Adapter offered below.
The side of the adapter without external threads features two holes for use with a spanner wrench (see table below for compatible spanner wrenches).
Item # | Dovetail | External Threads |
Internal Threadsa |
Clear Aperture |
Thicknessb | Compatible Spanner Wrench |
Adapter Profile (Click for Drawing) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DTC05 | Male D4T | C-Mountc | SM05 | Ø0.535" | 0.33" (8.3 mm) | SPW909 or SPW801 | ![]() |
DTC08 | Male D4T | C-Mountc | N/A | Ø0.80" (20.3 mm) | 0.33" (8.3 mm) | SPW801 | ![]() |
DT105 | Male D4T | SM1 | SM05 | Ø0.535" | 0.33" (8.3 mm) | SPW909 or SPW801 | ![]() |
DT108 | Male D4T | SM1 | N/A | Ø0.80" (20.3 mm) | 0.33" (8.3 mm) | SPW801 | ![]() |
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![Cage-Mounted PMT1002](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Cage_Mounted_PMT_A6-150.jpg)
Click for Details
DTCP1(/M) Cage Plate Used to Mount a PMT in a 30 mm Cage System
- 30 mm Cage Plate for Holding Male D4T Dovetail Adapters
- 5/64" (2 mm) Hex, Cone-Tip Brass Setscrew to Lock Dovetail in Place
- Four Ø6.0 mm Through Holes for ER Cage Rods
- 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) Threaded Hole for Post Mounting
- Anodized Aluminum Construction
The DTCP1(/M) 30 mm Cage Plate has a Ø1.20" (30.5 mm) central bore that accepts the male D4T dovetail adapters above. A side-located 5/64" (2 mm) brass setscrew with a cone tip is used to lock the dovetail in place.
Four Ø6 mm through holes for ER cage rods allow for integration into a 30 mm cage system. The plate can be slid along the cage rods to the desired position and locked in place using four side-located, 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex setscrews. An 8-32 (M4 x 0.7) threaded hole in the bottom of the cage plate can be used for post mounting.
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![Cage-Mounted PMT1002](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/LensTube_Mounted_PMT_A1-150.jpg)
Click for Details
A filter can be mounted in a Ø1" lens tube attached to the DTSM1 adapter to block undesired wavelengths from reaching the input of a PMT.
- Double Bore and Cone-Tip Brass Setscrew Provide Three Points of Contact for Securing a Male D4T Dovetail
- External SM1 Threads to Integrate Directly with Ø1" Lens Tube Systems and Other SM1-Threaded Components
- Anodized Aluminum Construction
The DTSM1 SM1 Lens Tube Adapter has a double bore that accepts D4T male dovetails on one side and 0.20", 5.1 mm long external SM1 threads on the other. It accepts any of the male D4T dovetail adapters offered above. A 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex, cone-tip brass setscrew is used to secure a dovetail in place. The adapter, not including the external threads, is 0.43" (10.8 mm) thick.