Moving base

Legs

Parts JF-SV-AF0078 (Thorlabs leg assemblies) need to conform to a certain standard for height uniformity for the proper operation of the linear guide units. The will usually need to be checked and machined for compliance. See drawing for JF-SV-AF0078

Stop assembly

Balls (McMaster 9528K19) should be glued into sockets using epoxy. Before gluing, assemble whole base (except for table), place balls in sockets and make sure that latching mechanism works properly . Latch pall and spring plunger will need to be adjusted so that spring is retracted nearly fully when latch is engaged. Both balls should engage with stops. Then apply epoxy to balls, insert into sockets, and engage latch to apply pressure while curing.

Table mounting

1/4"-20 screws for mounting table to slides must have a carefully controlled length. The Newport Microlock inserts in table should contact interface plates (JF-SV-AF0005 and 6) at bottom, as opposed to interface plates contacting the table directly. Screws must not extend past Microlock inserts by more than 7.5 mm, which is the thickness of the interface plates. Screws of the proper length may be purchasable, or longer screws may need to be cut to the proper length. Microlocks should be adjusted such that they all touch the interface plates and the table can not be rocked by pressing down on any corner. It's probably not necessary to ensure that table is completely level.

{Alternate} Stationary base

For tall legs, sand can be added to leg interiors to help somewhat with damping of vibrations. Resonance frequency of fully loaded table after assembly will be surprisingly low! "Polymer concrete" may be necessary for critical applications (although probably not if microscope is used on a floating table to begin with).

Detection arm

Mechanical fit of all pieces should be checked before mounting optics

Optics mounting

Primary dichroic

Primary dichroic (NIR pass, VIS reflect) is glued into mount JF-SV-AF0047. Thick, quick set epoxy works well, in three small dabs along side and back (at top, outside of bore in mount wereNIR beam passes through). Do not apply any to reflective side, of course, which should face objective lens.

Large elliptical mirror

The large elliptical mirror is glued with epoxy, in 3-4 small dabs around perimeter

Large aspheric lens

The large aspheric lens is glued with thick epoxy, in 3 small dabs around perimeter after lens insertion (thinner epoxy that fills gap would work, of course, but would make extraction later extremely difficult!). A small amount of epoxy will touch the polished lens surface, but this is OK. Make sure lens orientation is correct before gluing (more strongly curved surface should face toward objective).

Emission splitting dichroic

The emission splitting dichroic is mounted using the spring force of 3 o-rings. Insert Dash #002, Buna-N o-rings (McMaster 9452K112) into slots in top half of dichroic cube (JF-SV-AF0010) before assembly. It shouldn't be difficult to assemble without o-rings or dichroic falling out of their cube halfs, if parts are held sideways while mating.