==== 3D-printed System of Optomechanical Components (Working Title) ====
For our own needs of [[projects:optics:start|laser optics experiments]] (right now, mainly interferometry), we are developing a system of 3d-printable optomechanical components.

  * [[https://git.fa-fo.de/fafo/techtree/issues/86|Techtree Element #86 (Optomechanical System)]]
  * 2026 EH23 talk: [[https://media.ccc.de/v/eh23-budget-beams-laser-experiments-in-a-hacker-lab|Budget Beams – Laser Experiments in a Hacker Lab]]

More documentation to follow as the project progresses. In the mean time, find some lab notes of ongoing progress with optics at FAFO here: [[projects:optics:log|Lab Notes for Optics Experiments]]

{{projects:optics:interferometer-setup-basic_20260118_154518363.jpg?600}}
{{projects:optomech:teaser.jpg?600|}}

Assembly drawing for a kinematic mirror mount (older version):

{{:projects:optomech:kinematic-mount-release.png?900|}}

==== Design ====
Some information about the design:

  * Designed to stay compatible with commonly used (metric) optomechanical components.  We chose to use the same M6 25×25mm breadboards that are present in most optics labs.

  * Using M3x0.5 adjusters for pitch and yaw correction as M3 screws are very cheap and readily available.  Commercial mounts use M6x0.25 adjusters so we have about half the finesse.

  * The 3d-printed mounts are of course notably less stable.  We are going to characterize the mechanical performance to give a lower bound on what experiments can be done with them.

  * We tried using integrated flexures to avoid needing metal springs.  Unfortunately, this does not work due to excessive creepage effects.