When engineers are choosing optics, a common mistake they make is overlooking the integration of optical mounts into their systems. There are a variety of mounts available for holding lenses, prisms, mirrors, filters and other optical components. Some examples include bar-type, gimbal, adjustable kinematic, fixed and jaw clamp mounts, just to name a few. When cost is a deciding factor, simple fixed mounts will be more than adequate. However, for applications that demand precise positioning, adjustable, stable, kinematic mounts are essential to the integrity of an optical system.

A three-dimensional rigid body has six degrees of freedom: X, Y and Z are translational, and R_x, R_y and R_z are rotational. A mount is considered kinematic if all six degrees of freedom are fully constrained. Most laboratory kinematic optical mounts use the classic cone, groove and flat constraint system and two or three adjustment screws. One adjustment screw at the groove and one at the flat can be used to adjust the rotational degrees of freedom...

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