An optical table is platform that is used to support systems used for optics experiments and engineering. Because optics often demands vibrations be sub-wavelength (fractions of a micrometre), optical tables are typically very heavy and often use pneumatic bearings that act as a low-pass filter to vibrations.
The surface is typically stainless steel with a rectangular grid of tapped holes in either metric or imperial units:
- metric: M6 on a 25 mm grid
- imperial: ΒΌ-20" UNC on a 1" (25.4 mm) grid
Read more about Optical Table: Explanation, Breadboards, Rails and Benches
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