More information about the function and construction of the optical table supports can be found under the Design tab or in the Isolation Systems tab in the Optical Tables Tutorial.
If the table is displaced vertically, the 3-way valve will allow the pressure in the dual-chamber air reservoir to increase or decrease, as necessary, so that the table is returned to its original height. The valve regulates the pressure in the pneumatic isolation system to control the height of the optical table. This proprietary design eliminates the need to use oil-based damping systems that can leak or degrade over time.Įach optical table support is also equipped with a 3-way valve. The horizontal vibrations are isolated from the optical table by mounting the vertical isolation system on a trifilar suspension system. If the source of compressed air is removed, the optical table will lower until it securely rests on the large-diameter cylindrical optical table supports, and the table will no longer be isolated from floor vibrations. The vertical vibrations are isolated from the optical table by a dual-chamber pneumatic isolation system that requires a constant source of compressed air, such as an air compressor (sold separately). In addition, the active optical table supports can be used to dramatically reduce the vibrations transmitted to an optical table setup in a noisy environment like on the upper floor of a steel framed building (see the Selection Guide tab).
When the active optical table supports are paired with a Nexus ® series optical table and setup in a quiet environment, even the most vibrationally sensitive photonics experiments like interferometry, holography, and nanopositioning can be performed. This is ideal since most common large-amplitude sources of vibrations found in laboratories vibrate within this range of frequencies (see the Vibrations tab of the Optical Tables Tutorial).
Thorlabs' Active Vibration Isolation Optical Table Supports contain an isolation system that effectively isolates the optical table from vertical and horizontal vibrations throughout the critical 3 to 50 Hz frequency range. Maintain 910 mm (35.8") Optical Table Working Height.Self-Leveling Valves Keep the Optical Table at a Constant Height with Fast Settling Times.Compatible with All Thorlabs' Nexus ® Optical Tables.Active Vertical and Horizontal Vibration Isolating Supports.