FiberBench Alignment Tools


  • Beam Displacement Modules for Wavelengths from 350 to 5000 nm
  • Aperture Plates for Optical Beam Alignment

HWXYT-C

Beam Displacement Module

AP1.5

Ø1.8 mm Aperture Plate

VRC2D05

IR Alignment Disk

AP1.5

Mounted on a FiberBench
(Using FT-SM05)

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Download a FiberBench Assembly File

Thorlabs offers alignment tools designed for our FiberBench systems, including XY Tweaker Modules, Aperture Plates, and Alignment Disks. The XY tweaker modules allow for the compensation of beam drift by enabling up to ±500 µm of positional displacement parallel to the optical axis. They are antireflection (AR) coated for one of five wavelength ranges: A (350 - 700 nm), B (650 - 1050 nm), C (1050 - 1620 nm), D (1650 - 3000 nm), or E (2000 - 5000 nm). Please see the Graphs tab for more details on the AR coating options.

The Aperture Plates can be utilized to measure beam size and block unwanted light in an optical system. They are available with an Ø1.8 mm or Ø2.5 mm aperture. In addition, we offer UV-VIS, VIS-IR, and IR alignment disks that emit visible light when exposed to UV-VIS, VIS-IR, and IR electromagnetic radiation, respectively. These disks include a central alignment hole for partial beam transmission.

The FBSM Photodiode Mount allows our S130 Series Slim Photodiode Sensors to be mounted vertically into FiberBench systems.

FiberBench Accessories
FiberPorts Optic Mounts Alignment Tools Polarizers
Beamsplitter Modules Mirror Modules Rotating Wave Plates FiberBenches
B AR Coating
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The blue shaded region indicates the specified 650 - 1050 nm wavelength range for optimum performance. Performance outside of the specified range is not guaranteed and varies from lot to lot.
A AR Coating
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Click Here for Raw Data
The blue shaded region indicates the specified 350 - 700 nm wavelength range for optimum performance. Performance outside of the specified range is not guaranteed and varies from lot to lot.
B AR Coating
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Click Here for Raw Data
The blue shaded region indicates the specified 1.65 - 3.0 µm wavelength range for optimum performance. Performance outside of the specified range is not guaranteed and varies from lot to lot.
C AR Coating
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Click Here for Raw Data
The blue shaded region indicates the specified 1050 - 1620 nm wavelength range for optimum performance. Performance outside of the specified range is not guaranteed and varies from lot to lot.
A AR Coating
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Click Here for Raw Data
The blue shaded region indicates the specified 2.0 - 5.0 µm wavelength range for optimum performance. Performance outside of the specified range is not guaranteed and varies from lot to lot.

Thorlabs' Standard Broadband Antireflection Coatings


Posted Comments:
Marco de Peuter  (posted 2021-07-30 07:22:24.633)
Dear Thorlabs, Few weeks ago, I ordered few AP1.5 - 1.5mm Alignment tool. Despite the description, I noticed that the aperture dimension is 1.8mm instead of 1.5 mm. Also, according to the drawing/ step files of the product, the hole size is not correct (1.8 mm instead of 1.5mm). I just wanted to inform you. Best regards, Marco de Peuter
YLohia  (posted 2021-07-30 02:54:18.0)
Hello Marco, thank you for your feedback and bringing this to our attention! We will correct the web documentation as soon as possible.
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XY Tweaker Module


Click to Enlarge
Calculated Beam Displacement of UVFS and CaF2 Tweaker Plates as a Function of Angle of Incidence 
  • Use for Beam Steering with Sub-mm Level Precision
  • Vertical and Horizontal Beam Displacement
  • Five AR Coatings Avaliable:
    • A (350 - 700 nm)
    • B (650 - 1050 nm)
    • C (1050 - 1620 nm)
    • D (1650 - 3000 nm)
    • E (2000 - 5000 nm)
  • UV Fused Silica (UVFS) and Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) Substrates
  • Use as a Variable Attenuator with 0 - 20 dB Range with Steps of Roughly 0.5 dB
  • Use to Correct Known Offsets of System Optics
  • Please Contact Tech Support for More Information or Special Requests

The XY Tweaker Module consists of a precision-polished, AR-coated, plane-parallel plate mounted on a magnetic ball and socket for 360° rotation. The module allows for quick and precise displacement of a beam parallel to the optical axis, thus enabling several hundred microns of positional correction in increments of roughly 10 µm depending on the dexterity of the user. The plates are offered with a thickness of 2.5 mm and can be rotated and tilted in nearly any orientation. The beam is consequently displaced parallel to the optical axis by as much as 500 µm, as shown in the graph to the right. However, the performance of the AR coating on these optics deteriorates at angles of incidence beyond 30°. For general information about optical coating performance, please see our optical coatings guide.

Item # AR Coating Range Ravg Substrate
HWXYT-A 350 - 700 nm <0.5% UV Fused Silica
HWXYT-B 650 - 1050 nm <0.5% UV Fused Silica
HWXYT-C 1050 - 1620 nm <0.5% UV Fused Silica
HWXYT-D 1650 - 3000 nm <1.0% CaF2
HWXYT-E 2000 - 5000 nm <1.25% CaF2
Lateral Beam Displacement
Click to Enlarge
Lateral Beam Displacement Equation
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
HWXYT-A Support Documentation
HWXYT-AFiberBench Tweaker Module, 2.5 mm Thick UVFS, ARC: 350-700 nm
$186.51
Today
HWXYT-B Support Documentation
HWXYT-BFiberBench Tweaker Module, 2.5 mm Thick UVFS, ARC: 650-1050 nm
$186.51
Today
HWXYT-C Support Documentation
HWXYT-CFiberBench Tweaker Module, 2.5 mm Thick UVFS, ARC: 1050-1620 nm
$186.51
Today
HWXYT-D Support Documentation
HWXYT-DFiber Bench Tweaker Module, 2.5 mm Thick CaF2, ARC: 1650-3000 nm
$235.21
Today
HWXYT-E Support Documentation
HWXYT-EFiber Bench Tweaker Module, 2.5 mm Thick CaF2, ARC: 2000-5000 nm
$254.21
Today
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Aperture Plates

AP1.5 Mounted in FiberBench
Click to Enlarge
Aperture Plate in an FT-SM05 Optic Mount on a FiberBench

Aperture Plates are a useful tool for system alignment or to measure beam size. The aperture plate should be mounted into the Ø1/2" optic mount (as shown in the image to the right) and then used to establish an optical center line in a FiberBench system. It is also useful for blocking stray light or other unwanted light in an optical system.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
AP1.5 Support Documentation
AP1.5Ø1.8 mm Alignment Tool
$12.46
Today
AP2.5 Support Documentation
AP2.5Ø2.5 mm Alignment Tool
$12.46
Today
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IR Alignment Disks


Click to Enlarge
IR Alignment Disk in an FT-SM05 Optic Mount on a FiberBench
  • Central Ø0.9 mm Hole Allows Partial Beam Transmission for Alignment
  • Ideal for Use as a Drop-In Alignment Guide
  • Use with Our Ø1/2" Optical Component Holders

These alignment disks are ideally used as drop-in tools to simplify active alignment of setups which incorporate light sources from the UV to IR range. A small Ø1.5 mm hole at the center enables beams to be aligned with the optical axis of our mounts or lens tubes. The active materials on the VRC1D05 and VRC4D05 do not require charging. They will emit light persistently when exposed to light in the 250 - 540 nm spectral region for the VRC1D05 disk and light in the 790 - 840 nm, 870 - 1070 nm, or 1500 - 1590 nm spectral regions for the VRC4D05 disk. The active material on the VRC2D05 disk requires charging by visible light; when charged and exposed to light in the 400 - 640 nm or 800 - 1700 nm spectral region, the disk will emit visible light. 

Item # Absorption Band(s) Emission Band Sensitvity Graph Requires Charging
VRC1D05 250 - 540 nm 450 to 750 nm VRC1 Absorption and Emission Bands No
VRC2D05 400 - 640 nm,
800 - 1700 nm
~580 to 750 nm VRC2 Absorption and Emission Bands Yes
VRC4D05 790 - 840 nm,
870 - 1070 nm,
1500 - 1590 nm
~520 to 580 nm VRC4 Absorption and Emission Bands No
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
VRC1D05 Support Documentation
VRC1D05Ø1/2" UV and Visible Alignment Disk (250 - 540 nm)
$25.54
Today
VRC2D05 Support Documentation
VRC2D05Ø1/2" Visible and IR Alignment Disk (400 - 640, 800 - 1700 nm)
$25.54
Today
VRC4D05 Support Documentation
VRC4D05Ø1/2" Alignment Disk, S,C, & L Bands (790 - 840, 870 - 1070, 1500 - 1590 nm)
$25.54
Today
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FiberBench Slim Photodiode Mount


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View Product List
Item #QtyDescription
Universal Product List
S130C1Slim Photodiode Power Sensor, Si, 400 - 1100 nm, 500 pW - 5 mW, Up to 500 mW with Filter
FB-511Single-Axis FiberBench, L = 51 mm, 5 Positions
FBSM1FiberBench Mount for Slim Photodiode Sensors
HCA3-SM11FiberBench Wall Plate, FiberPort Compatible, Internally SM1-Threaded
PAF-X-5-B1FiberPort, FC/PC & FC/APC, f=4.6 mm, 600 - 1050 nm, Ø1.00 mm Waist
FBR-LPVIS1Rotating Linear Polarizer Module, 500 - 720 nm, Ø2.5 mm CA
S130C Photodiode Sensor Mounted in FiberBench System Using FBSM Adapter

The FBSM FiberBench Mount enables stable mounting of our slim photodiode sensors into our FiberBench systems. A side-located setscrew with a 0.050" (1.3 mm) hex can be used to lock the sensor in place. The mount has dowel pins for compatibility with FiberBenches and an optical axis height of 0.56" (14.2 mm) to match other FiberBench components. The target around the aperture uses the same material as our VRC2 Laser Viewing Card and is sensitive to light between the wavelength ranges of 400 - 645 nm and 800 - 1700 nm.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
FBSM Support Documentation
FBSMFiberBench Mount for Slim Photodiode Sensors
$48.69
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