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arXiv · 1312.6557

A low-cost mirror mount control system for optics setups

Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan·Markus Gühr
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Abstract

We describe a flexible, simple to build, low-cost, and computer-controlled optical mirror actuator system we developed for undergraduate research laboratories. Geared motors for hobby robotics are controlled by an Arduino microcontroller board in combination with an H bridge to finely position the mirror mount actuators. We present a graphical user interface based on the free Python script language. The price of the fully controlled actuator system is thus only a small fraction of the price of any commercial system; however, it is quickly implementable due to the use of open hardware electronics. We show the performance of the system and give an outlook for future expansions and use in advanced optical setups.

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Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan, Markus Gühr. 2013-12-17. A low-cost mirror mount control system for optics setups. https://arxiv.org/abs/1312.6557

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