An optical table, also known as an optical bench or an optical breadboard, is a specialized platform used in optics laboratories for mounting and aligning optical components. These tables provide a stable and vibration-resistant surface that minimizes external disturbances, ensuring precise alignment and measurement of optical elements.
Optical tables are typically made of a rigid material such as steel or aluminum, with a honeycomb or ribbed internal structure to reduce weight while maintaining stiffness. They are often covered with a damping material such as granite or composite materials to further attenuate vibrations. The top surface of an optical table usually features a grid of regularly spaced mounting holes or threaded inserts, allowing optical components such as lenses, mirrors, lasers, and detectors to be securely attached and precisely positioned.
The high stability and vibration isolation provided by optical tables are crucial for various optical experiments and applications, including interferometry, spectroscopy, laser optics, and photonics research.