Products Home / Optomechanical Components / Optomechanical Mounts / Fixed Optic Mounts / Fixed Compact Platform MountsFixed Compact Platform Mounts
- Mount Beamsplitter Cubes and Right-Angle Prisms
- Mount Cylindrical Components to Ø1/2" Optical Posts
V-Groove and Prism Clamp System
PCM Post Clamp and PCMV/PCMP Base Adapters Sold Separately
Application Idea
GRIN Fiber Collimator Mounted Using the PCM Post Clamp and PCMV V-Groove Base
BSH1
Mounts 1" Beamsplitters or Right-Angle Prisms
BSH2
Mounts 2" Beamsplitters or Right-Angle Prisms
BSH10
Mounts 10 mm Beamsplitters or
Right-Angle Prisms
Please Wait
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Right-Angle Prism Mounted Using the BSH1 Prism Mount
Features
- Five Prism Platform Mounts for Beamsplitter Cubes and Right-Angle Prisms
- PCM Clamp with PCMP Flat Adapter Holds Prisms or Beamsplitter Cubes
- Maximum Optic Height: 0.82" (20.8 mm)
- PCM Clamp with PCMV V-Groove Adapter Holds Cylindrical Objects
- Minimum Object Diameter: 0.02" (0.6 mm)
- Maximum Object Diameter: 0.52" (13.2 mm)
Thorlabs offers compact platform mounts for prisms, beamsplitter cubes, and cylindrical objects. Our BSH platform mounts are compatible with beamsplitter cubes, right-angle prisms, and prism mirrors and feature a bottom-located tap for post mounting. For additional mounting options, the BSH1(/M) and the BSH2(/M) feature two counterbores for mounting directly to a breadboard. The PCM Clamp for Ø1/2" posts is used in conjunction with either the PCMP Flat Base for prisms or the PCMV V-Groove Base for cylindrical objects.
| Posted Comments: | |
user
(posted 2024-02-20 17:01:32.91) https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=BSH05
post mounting in the photo is through a threaded 8-32, but in the CAD it looks like a counterbore hole. Which one is correct? Thanks jdelia
(posted 2024-02-22 08:55:36.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The 8-32 mounting hole on the BSH05 is in fact threaded. Constantine Feinberg
(posted 2024-02-14 17:34:45.9) On the Auto CAD PDF file the item # is incorrect and shown as BSH10/M. Please correct that, I need the file in order to proceed with purchse. jdelia
(posted 2024-02-16 04:14:04.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs and for bringing this to our attention. We have updated the CAD drawing on the website, and I have also reached out to you directly to share the corrected document. Tetiana Slusar
(posted 2022-11-29 14:38:18.8) I think, it would be nice to have a similar Platform Mount for 30.0 mm Cage Beam Splitters jdelia
(posted 2022-12-08 10:32:41.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have reached out to you directly to clarify your suggestion. If you mean you would like this mount to be cage-compatible, you could potentially mount in a cage system using one of our 20 mm offset 30 mm cage to Ø1/2" post adapters: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=6387. Hee-Jin Lim
(posted 2022-08-09 13:42:23.93) I am using this well with half inch cube polarizers. It would be more nicer if the proper torque range for a seizing screw is given in specifications. I have experienced several times that excessive torques had produced cracks in glass materials of polarizers. The torque range must be dependent on glass materials, and pressure on materials also depends on friction coefficient of threads. That may not be easy to quantify. Still, I would like to have small hints for starting values of torque. cdolbashian
(posted 2022-08-15 03:24:10.0) Thank you for reaching out to us with this inquiry. While we do not have a specific torque value measured for this, as we typically just recommend hand-tightening, I have reached out to you directly with a potential approach to solving this issue. 羿轩 李
(posted 2021-04-19 17:50:27.327) The spacing of the two M4 screw holes above the BSH1/M is 25.4mm and cannot be mounted on the metric optical plate. YLohia
(posted 2021-04-22 10:16:59.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Since these are counterbored holes, there is enough slop when mounting capscrews to a 25 mm hole pattern breadboard/baseplate. This should still be useable in your application. I have contacted you directly about this. user
(posted 2020-10-19 13:18:13.957) Are these mounts (BSH1 or BSH 2) secure enough to hold a prism or beamsplitter cube sideways (e.g. mounted to a vertical breadboard)? llamb
(posted 2020-10-20 03:28:40.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. While the BSH- series mounts can hold a prism/beamsplitter sideways, the setup will pose a greater risk for the optic, so it is not recommended. A user may feel inclined to apply extra torque on the BSH- mount's locking screw in order to hold the optic more securely against gravity's pull, which can lead to stress-induced birefringance or even damage. baldwidp
(posted 2016-11-30 17:09:36.01) Make a 2" version to hold a 2" beamsplitter cube. tfrisch
(posted 2016-12-05 10:00:44.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I have posted this in our internal engineering forum. user
(posted 2016-09-20 13:15:19.797) Please make a version of the BSH1 that can hold 1/2 inch beamsplitters. jlow
(posted 2016-09-21 04:50:32.0) Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: Thank you very much for your suggestions. We will look into making this as part of our stock item. cbrideau
(posted 2015-10-22 14:03:41.803) A version of this prism holder that replaces the front plate on a KMS kinematic mount would make for an excellent tip/tilt stage for the prism. besembeson
(posted 2015-10-28 10:02:01.0) Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: Thanks for the feedback. This could be good for a more compact version of the KM100B and KM100PM (http://www.thorlabs.us/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1811) that are designed for such purposes. We will review this. |
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BSH1 Platform Used to Mount 1" Beamsplitter Cube to a Breadboard
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Each mount except the BSH10(/M) is engraved with an area for labeling for easy identification.
- Mount 10 mm, 1/2" (12.5 mm), 20 mm, 1" (25.0 mm), or 2" (50.0 mm) Beamsplitter Cubes and Right-Angle Prisms
- Compact, Low-Profile Design with Secure Clamping
- Tapped for Post Mounting
- BSH1(/M) and BSH2(/M) Feature Counterbores for Breadboard Mounting
Thorlabs' Prism Platform Mounts are designed to hold polarizing and non-polarizing beamsplitter cubes as well as right-angle prisms and prism mirrors. The BSH10(/M) and BSH05(/M) mounts feature a flexure clamping mechanism, and accept 10 mm or 1/2" cubes or right-angle prisms, respectively. The BSH20(/M), BSH1(/M), and BSH2(/M) accept 20 mm, 1", or 2" cubes or right-angle prisms, respectively. They feature a side-mounted clamping mechanism that uses rare-earth magnets and dowel pins for opening and alignment. Both types of clamping mechanisms can be actuated using a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex key.
The BSH10(/M) has a 4-40 (M3) tap for compatibility with our Mini-Series Posts and our Ø12 mm Pedestal Posts with 4-40 (M3) Setscrews. The BSH05(/M), BSH20(/M), BSH1(/M), and BSH2(/M) offer an 8-32 (M4) tap for compatibility with our Ø1/2" or Ø1" posts with 8-32 (M4) studs. The BSH10(/M) and BSH05(/M) have a torque hole on the side, which allows a 5/64" balldriver or hex key to pass through and provide extra leverage when tightening the mount to the top of a post.
The BSH1(/M) and BSH2(/M) feature two #8 (M4) or 1/4" (M6) counterbores, respectively, for mounting to an optical table or breadboard. The BSH1(/M) is directly compatible with our Mini-Series breadboards with 8-32 (M4) tapped holes. The AE8E25E (AE4M6M) thread adapter allows the BSH1(/M) to be mounted onto breadboards that have 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes. The BSH2(/M) is directly compatible with both our Mini-Series and standard breadboards with 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes. Either platform mount can also be mounted using two optical posts to align the prism's optical axis over the breadboard taps.
Please note: To reduce the risk of damage and stress-induced birefringence, we recommend applying as little force as possible when mounting the prism. To help provide guidance on the amount of torque needed, a UV Fused Silica right-angle prism and N-BK7 beamsplitter cube were both tested. For the BSH10 and BSH05, we would not recommend exceeding a mounting torque of 1 lb-in (0.11 N•m) for right-angle prisms or 2.5 lb-in (0.28 N•m) for beamsplitter cubes. For the larger mounts, we would not recommend exceeding a mounting torque of 1.5 lb-in (0.17 N•m) for right-angle prisms or
5.0 lb-in (0.56 N•m) for beamsplitter cubes. We recommend using the TD24 Torque Driver with a 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex driver bit.
| Item # | Compatible Optics | Mounting Holes | Clamping Lip Heighta | Clamping Screw Hex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSH10(/M) | 10.0 mm Cubes and Right-Angle Prisms | One 4-40 (M3) Tap | 0.063" (1.6 mm) | 5/64" (2.0 mm) |
| BSH05(/M) | 0.50" or 12.5 mm Cubes and Right-Angle Prisms | One 8-32 (M4) Tap | 0.075" (1.9 mm) | |
| BSH20(/M) | 20.0 mm Cubes and Right-Angle Prisms | One 8-32 (M4) Tap | 0.075" (1.9 mm) | |
| BSH1(/M) | 1.00" or 25.0 mm Cubes and Right-Angle Prisms | One 8-32 (M4) Tap Two #8 (M4) Counterbores |
0.075" (1.9 mm) | |
| BSH2(/M) | 2.00" or 50.0 mm Cubes and Right-Angle Prisms | One 8-32 (M4) Tap Two 1/4" (M6) Counterbores |
0.1" (2.5 mm) |
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PCM Clamp and PCMP Base Used to Mount a Prism
- Mount Prisms or Cylindrical Objects to 1/4"-20 (M6) End of our Ø1/2" Optical Posts
- PCM(/M) Ø1/2" Post Clamp Secures Objects Mounted on Base Adapters
- PCMP(/M) Flat Adapter Holds Prisms or Beamsplitter Cubes
- Maximum Optic Height: 0.82" (20.8 mm)
- PCMV(/M) V-Groove Adapter Holds Cylindrical Objects
- Minimum Object Diameter: 0.02" (0.6 mm)
- Maximum Object Diameter: 0.52" (13.2 mm)
Thorlabs' Compact V-Groove and Platform Mount is ideal for mounting prisms up to 0.82" (20.8 mm) tall or cylindrical objects from 0.02" (0.6 mm) to 0.52" (13.2 mm) in diameter onto a Ø1/2" Optical Post. Its thin 0.65" (16.5 mm) profile allows the mount to easily fit into a space-constrained setup, where a larger mount, such as the KM100B Kinematic Platform Mount, could not. Please note that a complete post clamp mount will require a PCM(/M) Ø1/2" Post Clamp and either a PCMP(/M) Flat or PCMV(/M) V-Groove Base Adapter, all of which are sold separately.
The PCMP(/M) and PCMV(/M) Base Adapters thread onto the 1/4"-20 (M6) end of a Ø1/2" post to provide a stable mounting surface for prisms or cylindrical objects, respectively. To secure the mounted component, the PCM(/M) Post Clamp fits over the post and includes a PM3 or PM3/M Clamping Arm with nylon-tipped setscrew that can be adjusted using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. The post clamp is locked in place on the Ø1/2" post using a side-located thumbscrew that can also be secured using a 3/16" (5 mm) hex key. See the photo to the right for a mounting example.
Compact Platform Mounts