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PLX Retroreflector Selector Chart

Retroreflector Selector

RETROREFLECTOR SELECTOR

PROPERTIES Ultra Low-Profile Omni Wave Hard Mount USHM
Weight Very Light Heaviest Very Light Light
Overall Size Smallest Large Small Small
Apex Location Control Good Fair Excellent Excellent
Vacuum Compatible Excellent Not Standard Not Standard Excellent
Mounting Stiffness Excellent Fair Good Excellent
Mechanical Stability Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Thermal Stability Excellent Good Very Good Excellent
Vibration Very Good Good Very Good Excellent
Shock Resistance Very Good Excellent Very Good Excellent
Protective Housing Yes Yes No No
APPLICATIONS Ultra Low-Profile Omni Wave Hard Mount USHM
Metrology Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
OEM Use Excellent Fair Excellent Excellent
Motion Control Very Good Good Excellent Excellent
OEM Interferometry Good Good Excellent Excellent
OEM Spectroscopy Good Good Excellent Excellent
Laboratory Excellent Excellent Good Good
Industrial Excellent Excellent Good Good

Ultra Low-Profile Retroreflector™ (ULPRTM)

ULP10.jpgThe Ultra Low-Profile Retroreflector (ULPR™) series will fit where other retros won’t, it is the ideal retroreflector series with up to a 36% weight reduction over the other retroreflector series. The round shape is ideal for mounting into bores or standard optical bench lens and mirror holders. In the new improved configuration, PLX pushes the cutting-edge of design and performance further with the ULPR's patent pending mounting design. Despite its compact, sleek appearance, the unit is extremely stable over temperature changes, vibration and shock conditions.

Omni Wave Hollow Retroreflector™ (OWHRTM)

The Omni Wave line of the Hollow Retroreflector was designed for easy handling in a laboratory environment where the Retroreflector needs to be protected from the elements. The Retroreflector is typically mounted in a housing with specially matched cushion providing excellent shock resistance. The base of the Omni Wave is versatile and compatible with all major mounting systems, laboratory tools and setups. As an option, a front window can be installed to keep the optics clean or for application where hermetic sealing is required. An additional available option includes vacuum compatibility that will meet NASA outgassing specification.

Hard-Mount Retroreflector™ (HMHRTM)

The HM line was designed for applications where the unit is mounted inside an instrument, protected by the instrument enclosure, together with the rest of the instrument’s components. The Hard-Mount Retroreflector is significantly lighter than the Omni Wave (1:5). Therefore it is widely used in applications where the Retroreflector is translating along its optical axis. Typical applications include instruments like Spectrometers, Interferometers, motion control systems and range finders. Also, an available option includes vacuum compatibility for space applications.

Improved Ultra Stable Hard-Mounted RetroreflectorTM (USHMTM)

The implementation by PLX of a robust Invar mount design adds an extra measure of stability and durability to our USHMs.

The use of Invar, in combination with our new-patented configuration, makes the new USHMs suitable for applications where instruments are exposed to changes in temperature and harsh environments. The design approach incorporated in the improved USHM has been utilized in critical military and space applications.