Products Home / Optical Elements / Optical Mirrors / Right-Angle Prism Mirrors / 30 mm Cage-Compatible Beam-Turning Cubes30 mm Cage-Compatible Beam-Turning Cubes
- Removable Right-Angle Mirror in 30 mm Cage Cube
- Pre-Mounted Mirrors Available with One of Four Coatings
- Accepts 25 mm x 25 mm Right-Angle Prism or Mirror
DFM1-E02
DFM1T2
Cube Insert Features
Removable Mounting Bar for Installing Alternate Optic
DFM1-M01 Beam Turning Cube shown with Ø6 mm Cage Rods
Application Idea
Cube Insert with Silver-Coated Right-Angle Mirror (Base not Shown)
Please Wait
Orient the right-angle mirror in the cube as illustrated to reflect the incident beam. The top of the cube is engraved with a similar diagram showing the intended beam path.
Click to Enlarge ERSCB Cage Rod Adapters are Used to Connect the
DFM1-E03 Turning Cube to a VA5-780 Variable Beamsplitter Cube
Features
- Kinematic 30 mm Cage Cubes with Pre-Mounted Right-Angle Mirrors
- 30 mm Cage System and SM1 (1.035"-40) Lens Tube Compatible
- Easily Swap Between Transmissive and 90° Deflected Beam Paths
- Cube Inserts Available for Exchanging User-Provided Right-Angle Mirrors or Turning the Beam Direction
- Cube Base and Insert Cover Plate Available Separately
- 30 mm Cage Cube Connector for Connecting Two Cubes Side by Side (Sold Separately Below)
- Compatible with 30 mm Fluorescence Filter Cube, Beamsplitter Cube, and Right-Angle Optic Cube Systems
Thorlabs' Beam-Turning Cubes provide the ability to quickly switch between transmissive and right-angle-deflected beam paths within a 30 mm Cage System. Each beam-turning cube consists of a kinematic insert and base. Each base has four SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) ports surrounded by four 4-40 tapped holes for compatibility with 30 mm cage systems. Each matching insert features a 25 mm x 25 mm right-angle mirror with one of four reflective coatings: protected silver, protected gold, or dielectric-coated over 400 - 750 nm or 750 - 1100 nm. For mirror specifications and graphs, please see the Specs and Graphs tabs, respectively.
Magnets in the base and insert of the beam turning cube ensure repeatable positioning of the cube within a cage system. The ports are at an optical axis height of 1.25" and 30 mm for the imperial and metric versions, respectively. The top of each cube is engraved with a diagram of the mirror location and indicates the light path through the cube (please refer to the diagram to the right to determine how to orient the beam turning cube within your system).
Additional cube inserts (sold separately below) can be used to exchange optics and to quickly switch between transmissive and left- or right-deflected beam paths. This is ideal for laser steering applications. The cube base is also separately available for purchase. The same base is used in Thorlabs' Fluorescence Filter Cube System, enabling a user to exchange right-angle mirrors/prisms and fluorescence filter sets within an aligned optical setup. Two adjacent kinematic cubes can be connnected using the Cage Cube Connector (sold separately below); the connector can be attached via the 4-40 tapped holes and unthreaded alignment holes surrounding each port.
Thorlabs' also offers empty cage cubes for installing user-provided right-angle mirrors.
| Item # | DFM1(/M)-P01 | DFM1(/M)-M01 | DFM1(/M)-E02 | DFM1(/M)-E03 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unmounted Mirror Item # | MRA25-P01 | MRA25-M01 | MRA25-E02 | MRA25-E03 | |
| Hypotenuse Coating | Protected Silver | Protected Gold | Dielectric 400 - 750 nm | Dielectric 750 - 1100 nm | |
| Reflectance | Ravg >97.5% (450 nm - 2 μm) Ravg >96% (2 - 20 μm) |
Ravg >96% (800 nm - 20 μm) | Rs and Rp > 99% (400 nm - 750 nm) |
Rs and Rp > 99% (750 nm - 1100 nm) |
|
| Mirror Substrate Material | N-BK7a | ||||
| Dimensional Tolerance | ±0.1 mm | ±0.1 mm | ±0.1 mm | ±0.1 mm | |
| Surface Quality of Coated Surface | 40-20 Scratch-Dig | 40-20 Scratch-Dig | 10-5 Scratch-Dig | 10-5 Scratch-Dig | |
| Flatness (Peak to Valley) | λ/10 @ 633 nm | λ/10 @ 633 nm | λ/10 @ 633 nm | λ/10 @ 633 nm | |
| Dimensions (Reflective Face) | 35.4 mm x 25 mm | 35.4 mm x 25 mm | 35.4 mm x 25 mm | 35.4 mm x 25 mm | |
| Clear Aperture (Unmounted) | 70% of Face Length and Width | 70% of Face Length and Width | 70% of Face Length and Width | 70% of Face Length and Width | |
| 45°-45°-90° Prism Angular Tolerance | ±3 arcmin | ±3 arcmin | ±3 arcmin | ±3 arcmin | |
The shaded regions in the graphs denote the ranges over which we guarantee the specified reflectance. Please note that the reflectance outside of these bands is typical and can vary from lot to lot, especially in out-of-band regions where the reflectance is fluctuating or sloped.
Protected Silver Coating (450 nm - 20 µm)
Protected Gold Coating (800 nm - 20 µm)
These plots show the reflectance of our -E02 (400 - 750 nm) and -E03 (750 - 1100 nm) dielectric coatings for a typical coating run. The shaded region in each graph denotes the spectral range over which the coating is highly reflective. Due to variations in each run, this recommended spectral range is narrower than the actual range over which the optic will be highly reflective. If you have any concerns about the interpretation of this data, please contact Tech Support. For applications that require a mirror that bridges the spectral range between the dielectric coatings, please consider a metallic mirror.
-E02 Coating (400 - 750 nm)
| Posted Comments: | |
Katherine Wood
(posted 2022-10-17 09:32:44.077) Hi - I bought this to fit in with a bunch of other DFM1 30mm cubes I have and it is not the same size as the bases from the DFM1 which seems very strange to me. Thankfully the DFM1T1s I have fit in it.
The fact that it is a different size makes it a lot more difficult to align. I feel like this must be a mistake?
I don't know, it seems wrong. Anyway - I just wanted to give feedback that it should be more obvious that these are not exactly the same size.
Thanks, Katherine cdolbashian
(posted 2022-10-24 09:16:31.0) Thank you for reaching out to us Katherine. In general, these cage cubes should be the same height for metric and imperial respectively. After talking to you, it seems you received a metric cube with imperial taps, so while it functions correctly, it is a bit shorter than other cubes. Thankfully, when aligned within a cage system all apertures are aligned. I have reached out to you regarding a replacement. Rowan MacQueen
(posted 2021-07-23 10:16:15.187) Hello,
I would love to see a version of the 90 degree turning cube that allows the orientation of the insertable mirror element to be switched, such that one cube and one insert could be used for both left- and right-turning of a beam. I currently operate a setup where a DFM1B/M and associated turning mirror are used as a switch between two detectors, by removing or inserting the turning mirror I can select the appropriate path to the detector I want to use. I would like to add a third detector on the left side of the cube, and having a left-switching option for the same cube would save me a lot of space, money and reconstruction effort. Please consider adding this option if it is mechanically feasible. I may be missing something obvious, but I don't currently see a reason why it shouldn't be possible.
Best regards,
Rowan cdolbashian
(posted 2021-08-10 11:53:11.0) Thank you for contacting us here at Thorlabs! We are very welcome to this type of product feedback! As of now the constraint regarding a simple rotation of an insert by 90deg stems from the method of securing this device within the empty cube. The hardware used to secure the insert within the empty cube, magnet and ballbearings, are not positioned such that they are rotationally invariant after a 90degree rotation. I have reached out to you directly to discuss this issue/proposition further. drioux
(posted 2018-01-18 06:48:22.963) The magnets are very strong and the cube top can hit the cube base quite hard when it sits into place.
I found that repeated insertion and removal of the cube results in small deformation in the dowel pins at the bottom of the cube top (I can send pictures if you want).
Once this happens, the cube top does not keep a precise position which results in misalignment of our optical system. llamb
(posted 2018-03-31 11:03:19.0) Hello, thank you for your feedback. I will notify our engineering team to look into the magnets and dowel pins so that we can help prevent this issue. I will also follow up with you directly to discuss this further. cbrideau
(posted 2014-08-28 19:06:28.723) I found the magnets are too strong. It takes so much force to pull the cube out that it is easy to misalign the whole cage assembly! Can we get a version with magnets at say 10% of the strength? I realize this might sacrifice some of the kinematic precision, but for upright positioning gravity is already in my favour. jlow
(posted 2014-09-18 02:19:04.0) Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: We could do this as a custom. You could also try heating up the magnet locally to decrease the magnetic strength. I will contact you directly about this. user
(posted 2013-08-09 19:26:40.91) I have a similar need as poster n-Lindquist; switching between 3 detection systems from the side port of a microscope, one straight-through, one right hand, and one left hand. This gives me the 1st 2 but not the left hand. Doesn't seem like a major mod for a future product... pbui
(posted 2013-08-20 17:33:00.0) Response from Phong at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. We may be able to offer a custom mount that could accommodate your requested functionality. Please contact Techsupport@thorlabs.com if you would like to explore this option further. cuchan
(posted 2013-06-10 03:50:37.383) The premounted mirrors, DFM-E02 for instance, do they come with the base DFMB or we need to buy separately?
As for the Cube Top DFMT2, can we mount a 1" beamsplitter cube (PBS251 for instance) on it? cdaly
(posted 2013-06-11 09:02:00.0) Response from Chris at Thorlabs: Thank you for using our web feedback. Yes, the Mounted DFM series of turning mirrors come included with the bottom part of the cube DFMB(/M) as well. n-lindquist
(posted 2013-02-13 11:11:59.967) Do you sell or is there there a compatible cube that would turn a beam the other direction? I'd like to be able to swap between right handed and left handed turning directions. jlow
(posted 2013-02-14 14:01:00.0) Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: We do not currently have a version of the cube top to easily switch between the left and right hand configuration. We can probably make a custom version for you. I will get in contact with you on this. |
| Kinematic Cage Cubes Selection Guide (Click Image to Enlarge) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Empty Cubes for Fluorescence Filters |
Empty Cubes for Beamsplitters |
Empty Cubes for Right-Angle Optics |
Beam-Turning Cubes with Pre-Mounted Prism Mirrors | Multimode Fiber Optic Filter Cube |
| 16 mm Cage Cubes |  Full Web Presentation |
- | - | - | - |
| 30 mm Cage Cubes |   Full Web Presentation |
 Full Web Presentation |
 Full Web Presentation |
 Full Web Presentation |
 Full Web Presentation |
| 60 mm Cage Cubes |  Full Web Presentation |
- |  Full Web Presentation |
- | - |
Zoom
Click for Details
Each beam turning cube includes an installed right-angle mirror. Remove the mounting bar using a 3/32" hex key (included) to replace the optic with a user-provided mirror.
- Kinematic 30 mm Right-Turning Cubes with Pre-Mounted Right-Angle Mirror:
- Item # Suffix -P01: Silver-Coated Mirror, 450 nm - 20 µm
- Item # Suffix -M01: Gold-Coated Mirror, 800 nm - 20 µm
- Item # Suffix -E02: Dielectric-Coated Mirror, 400 - 750 nm
- Item # Suffix -E03: Dielectric-Coated Mirror, 750 - 1100 nm
- Four 4-40 Tapped Holes Around Each SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Port for 30 mm Cage System Compatibility
- Three Bottom-Located 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes for Post Mounting
These 30 mm Cage-Compatible Beam-Turning Cubes each consist of a post-mountable cube base and a removable insert equipped with a right-angle mirror. The cube insert is magnetically retained in the cube base, allowing for repeatable removal and insertion of optics in an aligned setup. Each insert features a pre-mounted right-angle mirror for easy integration into Thorlabs' SM1 (1.035"-40) lens tube and 30 mm cage systems. For users that want to install their own optics, we offer empty 30 mm Cage Cubes for Right-Angle Mirrors.
Cube inserts have two SM1-threaded ports to mount Ø1" optics (up to 5.0 mm thick) against the back lip (two SM1RR retaining rings included). The mounting bar for holding the right-angle mirror within the cage cube can be removed using the included 3/32" hex key (see the image to the right). These cube inserts are right-turning; empty left-turning cube inserts are available below to easily adjust the handedness of the laser direction. The ports are at an optical axis height of 1.25" and 30 mm for the imperial and metric versions, respectively.
All four sides of the turning cube base have an SM1-threaded port and four 4-40 tapped holes for compatibility with Ø6 mm cage rods. Each cube base has three bottom-located 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes that are directly compatible with top taps of our Ø1" and Ø1.5" posts, and the bottom tap of our Ø1/2" posts, using a user-supplied 1/4"-20 (M6) setscrew. Alternatively, a AE8E25E (AE4M6M) thread adapter can be used for compatibility with the top tap of our Ø1/2" posts.
Empty beam-turning cube inserts, base, and a cover plate are also sold separately below.
Zoom
Click to Enlarge
DFM1B base shown with CPS532 and no insert (top), a DFM1T2 insert with MRA25-P01 mirror (middle), and DFM1T4 insert with the same mirror installed (bottom).
- Empty Kinematic Base and Inserts for Mounting User-Provided Right-Angle Mirrors
- Ideal for Quickly Switching Mirrors or Turning Beam Direction in an Aligned Experimental Setup
- Cube Base with Four 4-40 Tapped Holes Around Each SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Port for 30 mm Cage System Compatibility
- Three Bottom-Located 1/4"-20 (M6) Tapped Holes for Post Mounting
- Cover Plate for Uninterrupted Beam Transmission Available
These Kinematic Beam-Turning Cube Inserts (item #'s DFM1T2 and DFM1T4) and Base (item # DFM1B(/M)) are ideal for mounting and exchanging right-angle mirrors or prisms within an aligned experimental setup.
The DFM1T2 and DFM1T4 cube inserts are designed to hold right-angle prisms or mirrors with sides measuring 25 mm x 25 mm. Two SM1-threaded ports on the cube inserts are available to mount Ø1" optics (up to 5.0 mm thick) against the back lip (two SM1RR retaining rings included). The mounting bar for holding the right-angle mirror within the cage cube can be removed using the included 3/32" hex key. The DFM1T2 insert holds a right-angle mirror in a right-turning orientation, and the DFM1T4 insert in a left-turning orientation. Thus, replacing the DFM1T2 insert with the DFM1T4 insert results in a 180° change in beam direction (see image to the right). These inserts are compatible with the Beam-Turning Cubes sold above as well as Thorlabs' Fluorescence Filter Cube and Beamsplitter Cube Systems.
Magnetic retention of a cube insert within the base allows for repeatable removal and insertion of optics in an aligned setup. All four sides of the DFM1B turning cube base have an SM1-threaded port and four 4-40 tapped holes for compatibility with Ø6 mm cage rods. Each cube base has three bottom-located 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes that are directly compatible with top taps of our Ø1" and Ø1.5" posts, and the bottom tap of our Ø1/2" posts, using a user-supplied 1/4"-20 (M6) setscrew. Alternatively, a AE8E25E (AE4M6M) thread adapter can be used for compatibility with the top tap of our Ø1/2" posts.
The ports on the cage cube base are at an optical axis height of 1.25" and 30 mm for the imperial and metric versions, respectively.The DFM1C Cage Cube Cover is also available for users who need a cover for when a turning mirror is not installed within the cube. When used with the SM1CP2 End Cap, this cover reduces the amount of stray light entering through the top or unused ports.
Zoom
Click to Enlarge
Two DFM1-P01 Beam Turning Cubes Connected Using the C4W-CC Cage Cube Connector
- Connect Two Beam Turning, Fluorescence Filter, or Beamspliter Cubes Side by Side
- Remove and Interchange Cube Inserts while the Cube Bases are Connected
- Compatible with C4W and C6W Cage Cubes
The C4W-CC Cage Cube Connector allows two kinematic beam turning, fluorescence filter, or beamsplitter cubes to be connected together as shown in the image to the right. Two pins on the C4W-CC are accepted by drilled holes on either side of any of the SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) ports on the cage cube faces to maintain alignment. Cube inserts can still be removed and inserted while the cube bases are connected.
The C4W-CC is also compatible with our 30 mm cage cubes.
30 mm Cage Kinematic Beam-Turning Prism Mirrors