Right-Angle Kinematic Mounts for Elliptical Mirrors

- Kinematic Mounts for 1/2", 1", and 2" Elliptical Mirrors
- Cage System, Lens Tube, and Post Mount Compatible
- ±3° or ±4° of Kinematic Pitch/Yaw Adjustment
KCB2EC
Holds 2" Elliptical Optics
KCB1E
Holds 1" Elliptical Optics
KCB05E
Holds 1/2"
Elliptical Optics
Application Idea
The RBP1 Post Base positions the reflective surface of an optic in a KCB1E Mount on a Ø1" RS Post above a threaded hole in an optical table.

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The KCBxE(/M) and KCBxEC(/M) elliptical mirror mounts divert a beam 90°, while the elliptical optic maintains a circular aperture.
Item # | KCB05E(/M) | KCB1E(/M) | KCB1EC(/M) | KCB2EC(/M) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Elliptical Mirror Size | 1/2" | 1" | 2" | |
Lens Tube Compatibility | SM05 | SM1 | SM2 | |
Cage System Compatibility | 16 mm | 30 mm | 60 mm | |
Cage Rod Mounting | Tapped Holes | Smooth Bores |
Features
- Mount Elliptical Optics at 45° with Pitch/Yaw Adjustment
- Z-Translation Possible Using Third Hex Adjuster
- Versions Available to Mount a 1/2", 1", or 2" Elliptical Optic
- Taps for Post Mounting
- Fabricated from Black Anodized Aluminum
Right-Angle Kinematic Mounts for Elliptical Mirrors allow elliptical optics to be mounted at a 45° angle within a cage system or lens tube system. Elliptical optics have the advantage of a circular aperture when mounted at 45°. The KCB05E(/M) and KCB1E(/M) feature tapped holes for cage rods on both the entrance and exit ports, while KCB1EC(/M) and KCB2EC(/M) feature smooth bores for cage rods. All of these mounts have SM-threaded entrance and exit holes for lens tube integration.
The eight right-angle mounts listed below are sized to incorporate 1/2", 1", or 2" elliptical optics within a 16 mm, 30 mm, or 60 mm cage system, respectively. These mounts are compatible with our dielectric and metallic elliptical mirrors. We also offer Fixed 45° Mounts for our 1" and 2" elliptical mirrors.
The TBP05(/M) and TBP05/M-JP Pin-Aligned, Clamping Post Bases, available below, are designed to align the surface of a mirror mounted in a KCB05E(/M) Right-Angle Kinematic Mirror Mount on an optical post above a hole in the optical table, simplifying the process of positioning an optical path over the table's threaded holes. The TBP05(/M) post base accepts a Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) pillar post and the TBP05/M-JP post base accepts a Ø12 mm pillar post. The RBP1(/M) and RBP2(/M) Pin-Aligned, Clamping Post Bases are designed to perform the same function for a KCB1E(/M) or KCB1EC(/M) Mounts and KCB2EC(/M) Mount, respectively, attached to Ø1" (Ø25.0 mm) pillar posts.
Posted Comments: | |
Jakin Z
 (posted 2023-12-15 06:41:37.88) Does the KCB1EC/M have an appropriate piezoelectric actuators? andi.am
 (posted 2017-12-21 12:21:59.633) I am not able to open the step file for the KCB2EC/M with 2 different software (IDA-step and Inventor). Is the file corrupted? Can you fix it?
Thank you for your promt answer in advance
Andreas nbayconich
 (posted 2018-01-04 01:42:05.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. There are several types of step files that may be compatible with ida-step & Inventor. I will reach out to you directly to provide these step files to try for IDA-step and Inventor and help troubleshoot this issue. syim
 (posted 2013-09-24 11:55:01.567) Can you provide the elliptical mirror mount part separately? I don't need the cage. Thanks. cdaly
 (posted 2013-09-26 13:27:00.0) Response from Chris at Thorlabs: Thank you for using our feedback tool. We do sell fixed elliptical mirror mounts, which do not involve the cage ssytems. The 2" elliptical mirror mount is the H45E2, which can be post mounted, turned vertically with a fixed optic mount like FMP2, or mounted kinematically using the KM200. walter.mueller
 (posted 2013-05-22 17:30:44.36) Gibt es von diesem Halter KCB1E tatsächlich nur die universelle zöllische Version? Es müsste doch eine mit Metrischem Gewinde für den Post geben? jlow
 (posted 2013-05-22 16:07:00.0) Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: There's no special metric version of the KCB1E. It has both #8-32 and M4x0.7mm mounting holes. tcohen
 (posted 2013-01-22 09:23:00.0) Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback! Right now we are releasing many new products, but expanding our elliptical selection for both dichroics and beamsplitter plates are being discussed. We are grateful for your feedback to help aid us in continuing to offer new products that would be the most useful for our customers. cafortin
 (posted 2013-01-16 17:57:23.893) It would be nice to have a selection of elleptical dichroic filters to fit those kinematic mount. |

- Eight 4-40 Tapped Holes to Mate with 16 mm Cage Systems
- Mounts 1/2" (12.7 mm) Elliptical Optics at a 45° Angle to the Optical Axis
- Provides ±3º Kinematic Pitch and Yaw Adjustment
- Z-Axis Translation Using All Three Adjusters: ±0.04" (±1.0 mm)
- Compatible with SM05-Threaded (0.535"-40) Lens Tubes
- Post Mountable:
- KCB05E: One 4-40 Tap and One 8-32 Tap (for Mini-Series and Ø1/2" Posts)
- KCB05E/M: One M3 Tap and One M4 Tap (for Mini-Series, Ø1/2", and Ø25.0 mm Posts)
The KCB05E(/M) Elliptical Mirror Mount provides ±4° of kinematic pitch and yaw adjustment for a 1/2" elliptical optic positioned at a mean angle of 45° to the optical axis. The ports are equipped with SM05-threaded (0.535"-40) bores and four 4-40 tapped holes center-to-center spaced for compatibility with our 16 mm cage systems. The kinematic pitch and yaw adjustment plate is actuated with M3 x 0.25 threaded adjustment screws that provide angular resolution of 12.94 mrad/rev. Two of these adjusters include removable knobs, while the third must be tuned with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key or balldriver. While the optic face is nominally centered within the mount, the third adjuster can be used for fine tuning the position along the optical axis.
A nylon-tipped adjustment screw and a nylon-coated spring clip are used to secure 1/2" (12.7 mm) elliptical optics using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver via the mount's rear-loading, double-bored hole. The rear loading design does not limit the thickness of the mounted optic and the mounted optic remains accessible even after the mount is fitted with cage rods or lens tubes. We offer dielectric and metallic elliptical mirrors, which are compatible with this mount. The minimum thickness for optics that can be secured by these mounts is 0.12" (3 mm).

- Mounts 1" (25.4 mm) Elliptical Optics at a 45° Angle to the Optical Axis
- Eight 4-40 Tapped Holes for ER Cage Rods
- Provides ±4° Kinematic Pitch and Yaw Adjustment
- Z-Axis Translation Using All Three Adjusters: ±0.12" (±3.0 mm)
- 30 mm Cage System and SM1 (1.035"-40) Compatible
- Post Mountable:
The KCB1E(/M) right-angle mount provides pitch and yaw adjustment for a 1" (25.4 mm) elliptical optic held in a mounting plate whose nominal horizontal position is at a 45° angle. The ports are equipped with SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) bores and four 4-40 tapped holes center-to-center spaced to mate with our 30 mm Cage System standard. The kinematic pitch and yaw adjustment plate is actuated with 100 TPI (Threads per Inch) adjustment screws that provide angular resolution of 7.6 mrad/rev. Two of these adjusters include removable knobs, while the third must be tuned with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key or balldriver. While the optic face is nominally centered within the mount, the third adjuster can be used for fine tuning the position along the optical axis.
A nylon-tipped adjustment screw and a nylon-coated spring clip are used to secure 1" (25.4 mm) elliptical optics using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver via the mount's rear-loading, double-bored hole. The rear loading design ensures that the optic remains accessible even after the mount is fitted with cage rods or lens tubes. These mounts were designed for a 6 mm thick optic. We offer dielectric and metallic elliptical mirrors, which are compatible with these mounts.


Click to Enlarge
Figure 586A KCB1EC(/M) Mounts have Smooth Bores for Cage Rods
- Mounts 1" (25.4 mm) Elliptical Optics at a 45° Angle to the Optical Axis
- Eight 0.25" (6.35 mm) Deep Smooth Bore Holes for ER Cage Rods
- Provides ±4° Kinematic Pitch and Yaw Adjustment
- Z-Axis Translation Using All Three Adjusters: ±0.12" (±3.0 mm)
- 30 mm Cage System and SM1 (1.035"-40) Compatible
- Post Mountable:
The KCB1EC(/M) right-angle mount provides pitch and yaw adjustment for a 1" (25.4 mm) elliptical optic held in a mounting plate whose nominal horizontal position is at a 45° angle. The ports are equipped with SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) bores and four 0.25" (6.35 mm) deep smooth bore holes spaced to mate with our 30 mm cage system standard. The cage rods are secured by eight setscrews using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key or balldriver. This design allows multiple 30 mm cage components to be directly interfaced without the need for ERSCB ER Rod Adapters. The kinematic pitch and yaw adjustment plate is actuated with 100 TPI (Threads Per Inch) adjustment screws that provide angular resolution of 7.6 mrad/rev. Two of these adjusters include removable knobs, while the third must be tuned with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key or balldriver. While the optic face is nominally centered within the mount, the third adjuster can be used for fine tuning the position along the optical axis.
A nylon-coated spring clip is used to secure 1" (25.4 mm) elliptical optics using a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key or balldriver via the mount's rear-loading, double-bored hole. The rear loading design ensures that the optic remains accessible even after the mount is fitted with cage rods or lens tubes. These mounts were designed to hold a 6 mm thick elliptical optic. We offer dielectric and metallic elliptical mirrors, which are compatible with these mounts.


Click to Enlarge
The mirror is locked in place by a swing arm and nylon-tipped setscrew. The adjuster knobs feature side holes for fine adjustments.
- Mounts 2" (50.8 mm) Elliptical Optics at a 45° Angle to the Optical Axis
- Eight 0.195" (5.0 mm) Deep Smooth Bore Holes for ER Cage Rods
- Provides ±3º Kinematic Pitch and Yaw Adjustment
- Z-Axis Translation Using All Three Adjusters: ±0.12" (±3.0 mm)
- 60 mm Cage System and SM2 (2.035"-40) Compatible
- Post Mountable:
The KCB2EC(/M) Right-Angle Kinematic Cage Mount provides kinematic pitch and yaw adjustment of a 2" (50.8 mm) elliptical optic held in a mounting plate with a nominal horizontal position at a 45° angle. The ports are equipped with SM2-threaded (2.035"-40) bores and four 0.195" (5.0 mm) deep smooth bore holes spaced to mate with our 60 mm cage system standard.
The ±3° kinematic pitch and yaw adjustment plate is actuated with three 100 TPI (threads per inch) adjustment screws that provide angular resolution of 4.5 mrad/rev. The pitch and yaw adjusters include removable knobs with Ø5/64" (Ø2 mm) side holes for fine adjustments, while the third adjuster must be tuned with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key or balldriver. While the optic face is nominally centered within the mount, the third adjuster can be used for fine tuning the position along the optical axis.
A nylon-tipped setscrew mounted on a swing arm is used to secure 2" (50.8 mm) elliptical optics using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key or balldriver via the mount's rear-loading, double-bored hole. Note that the setscrew should only be finger tight to avoid distorting the optic. Please note that this mount is compatible only with 2" elliptical optics that are 0.47" (12 mm) thick. Our selection of dielectric and metallic elliptical mirrors are compatible with this mount.


Click to Enlarge Alignment of Laser Beam Along Holes of Optical Table Using an RBP1 Post Base

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Top and Bottom View of the RBP1 Post Base
- Ideal for Aligning a Laser Beam Along the Threaded Holes of an Optical Table
- Compatible with Imperial and Metric Optical Tables
- Alignment Pins and Attachment Screw Position the Reflective Surface of an Optic in a Compatible Mount Above a Hole in the Table
- Post Rotates Freely When Locking Screw is Loosened

Click to Enlarge Using a BHM6 Ruler and TBP05 Base to Align a KCB05 Mount
These Pin-Aligned, Clamping Post Bases are designed to work with mounts that center the reflective surface of an optic above an optical post. The TBP05(/M) and TBP05/M-JP bases are compatible with the KCB05 Series of Right-Angle Kinematic Mirror Mounts. The RBP1(/M) base is compatible with the KCB1 Series of Right-Angle Kinematic Mirror Mounts (except KCB1P(/M)). The RBP2(/M) should be used with the KCB2 Series of Right-Angle Kinematic Mirror Mounts.
Each clamping post base accepts a Ø12 mm, Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm), or Ø1" (Ø25 mm) pillar post, to which the right-angle mirror mount can be connected, as shown in the image to the left; note that the bases do not accept pedestal posts. Alignment pins on the bottom of these post bases fit into the holes on an optical table with a 1" (25 mm) grid spacing, and the bases can be secured in position with a 1/4"-20 (M6 x 1.0) cap screw and washer (not included). The TBP05(/M) post base accepts a Ø1/2" (Ø12.7 mm) pillar post, the RBP1(/M) and RBP2(/M) post bases accept a Ø1" (Ø25 mm) pillar post, and the TBP05/M-JP post base accepts a Ø12 mm pillar post. The post can rotate freely until the locking screw is tightened using a 3/16" (5 mm) hex key.
We recommend the BHM6 Magnetic Beam Height Ruler with Dowel Pins as an ideal tool for aligning a laser with a table's hole pattern using the pin-aligned, clamping post bases, as it places a series of alignment holes at different heights above two threaded holes in the table (see the image to the left).
For our complete selection of Pin-Aligned, Clamping Post Bases, see the full web presentation.