Optical Breadboard
Tabletop-class performance in a compact design.
Tabletop-class performance in a compact design.
The Optical Breadboard is designed for experiments where vibration control is critical but a full‑size
table is not practical. It provides a compact, low‑profile, ultra‑rigid platform for lasers, microscopes,
interferometers, and other sensitive optical setups mounted on existing benches and frames.
table is not practical. It provides a compact, low‑profile, ultra‑rigid platform for lasers, microscopes,
interferometers, and other sensitive optical setups mounted on existing benches and frames.
See how it is built.
Honeycomb core structure.
Maximum stiffness.
At the heart of the Optical Breadboard is the same steel honeycomb core used in our full‑size tabletops. It does far more than separate the skins – it provides the stiffness, high natural frequency, low compliance, and fast settling behavior that make the breadboard a stable platform for demanding optical work in a compact design.
Ultra‑stiff by design. Rigid where it counts.
Our optical breadboards use a deep, lightweight sandwich construction to achieve an exceptional stiffness‑to‑mass ratio in a compact footprint. Core geometry, core height, and skin thickness are tuned as a single structure, so the breadboard resists bending across its entire working surface—even with concentrated loads from posts, stages, and mounted assemblies.
That high stiffness pushes the primary resonant modes to higher frequencies, above the range where typical building and bench vibrations carry the most energy. In real lab conditions, the breadboard behaves much closer to an ideal rigid body—supporting optics without the subtle flexing that can turn small disturbances into visible drift.
It feels like a surface that stays composed, even when the environment is not.
That high stiffness pushes the primary resonant modes to higher frequencies, above the range where typical building and bench vibrations carry the most energy. In real lab conditions, the breadboard behaves much closer to an ideal rigid body—supporting optics without the subtle flexing that can turn small disturbances into visible drift.
It feels like a surface that stays composed, even when the environment is not.
High core density. Low dynamic deflection.
The Optical Breadboard uses a high‑density honeycomb core to support the top skin across its entire area. In a compact platform, too little core depth or insufficient cell density would allow the skin to flex between cells, preventing the surface from ever achieving optical‑grade flatness. The carefully chosen core geometry minimizes unsupported regions and distributes loads evenly, maintaining a precise reference plane even on a small breadboard.
Internal damping. Controlled vibration.
In the Optical Breadboard, the honeycomb core is bonded to the skins with adhesive layers that also serve as internal damping. When the breadboard vibrates, shear in these thin films and at each bonded interface converts vibration energy into heat instead of letting it ring. Inside the sidewalls, highly damped wood‑composite panels act as built‑in absorbers, so the compact structure does not behave like a ringing metal box.
Because the honeycomb sandwich contains many joints, interfaces, and adhesive layers, the breadboard provides far more paths for vibration energy to be dissipated than a solid metal or granite plate. In practice, that means lower resonance peaks, shorter ring‑down times, and a surface that stops moving sooner after a disturbance. The result is a breadboard that feels mechanically calm: you tap it or adjust a stage, the motion dies out quickly, and your optics can get back to work.
Because the honeycomb sandwich contains many joints, interfaces, and adhesive layers, the breadboard provides far more paths for vibration energy to be dissipated than a solid metal or granite plate. In practice, that means lower resonance peaks, shorter ring‑down times, and a surface that stops moving sooner after a disturbance. The result is a breadboard that feels mechanically calm: you tap it or adjust a stage, the motion dies out quickly, and your optics can get back to work.
Ultra flat surface with
precision mounting grid.
Surface flatness ±0.03 mm,
engineered with intention
The Optical Tabletop is machined to a verified flatness of ±0.03 mm across the full working area.It forms an optical reference plane that combines engineering precision with a premium, refined feel, supporting long-range alignment and high accuracy beam paths with confidence.
Bonded under controlled pressure
for structural accuracy
Flatness at this level starts deep inside the breadboard. During bonding, a precision hydraulic press applies uniform, repeatable pressure across the honeycomb core, creating consistent adhesive layers and eliminating voids or tension points that could otherwise distort the top skin.High-density honeycomb core for consistent support
The Optical Breadboard uses a high‑density honeycomb core to support the top skin across its entire area. In a compact platform, too little core depth or insufficient cell density would allow the skin to flex between cells, preventing the surface from ever achieving optical‑grade flatness. The carefully chosen core geometry minimizes unsupported regions and distributes loads evenly, maintaining a precise reference plane even on a small breadboard.
Precision mounting grid for precise alignment.
On top of this ultra‑flat surface, the Optical Breadboard features a precision mounting grid. Each tapped hole is accurately machined and aligned so optics and instruments can be placed exactly where your design requires them, with repeatable positioning across the breadboard. The result is cleaner layouts, easier alignment, and compact setups that can be disassembled and rebuilt on the same platform with confidence.
Every hole, individually sealed.
Inside the Optical Breadboard, every mounting hole is closed off with an adhesively bonded cylindrical cap. Each hole has its own cap, so the threads are never an open path into the honeycomb core. The caps bond directly to the underside of the top skin, creating a tight seal that blocks liquids, dust, and moisture from entering through the mounting grid. Spilled solvents or cleaning fluids stay on the surface instead of seeping into the structure.
By keeping the honeycomb core dry and clean, the sealed holes protect the adhesive bonds and internal damping layers, prevent corrosion and loss of stiffness inside the core, and help the breadboard maintain its vibration performance over many years. From the top you see only a simple, clean grid of mounting points. Hidden beneath is a dense array of cylindrical caps working quietly to protect the core and preserve the way the breadboard feels and performs from day one.
By keeping the honeycomb core dry and clean, the sealed holes protect the adhesive bonds and internal damping layers, prevent corrosion and loss of stiffness inside the core, and help the breadboard maintain its vibration performance over many years. From the top you see only a simple, clean grid of mounting points. Hidden beneath is a dense array of cylindrical caps working quietly to protect the core and preserve the way the breadboard feels and performs from day one.
Performance
Natural Frequency210 HzCompliance206 n m/NMeasured on 1200 x 900 x 100 mm optical breadboard
Specifications
Magnetic
Non-magnetic
Table Construction
Core Construction
Steel honeycomb core structure,
0.25 mm thick foil
304 non-magnetic stainless steel
honeycomb core, 0.25 mm thick foil
Honeycomb Cell Size
2.9 cm²
Top Skin Material
4.0 mm thick 430 series
ferromagnetic stainless steel
4.0 mm thick 304 series
non-magnetic stainless steel
Bottom Skin Material
4.5 mm thick steel
4.5 mm thick 304 non-magnetic
stainless steel
Side Panel Construction
2.0 mm thick steel plate with
highly damped composite wood
2.0 mm thick 304 non-magnetic
stainless steel plate with highly
damped composite wood
Surface & Mechanical Properties
Core Shear Modulus
19339 kgf/cm² (275,000 psi)
Surface Flatness
±0.03 mm
Damping Method
Broadband damping from honeycomb sandwich
construction, bonded interfaces, and damped side walls
Mounting Configuration
Thread Specification
M6 × 1.0 (1/4-20)
Hole Grid Pitch
25 mm pitch (1.0 in square grid)
Edge Distance
37.5 mm (1.5 in)
Hole Sealing
21 mm deep cylindrical sealing cap on each hole
Dynamic Performance
Resonant Frequency
210 Hz
Compliance (Static)
206n m/N
Available Dimensions
Width Range
500 – 1500 mm
Depth Range
400 – 1200 mm
Thickness Options
25 / 50 / 100 mm
Ordering Information
Width Range: 500-1500 mm
Depth Range: 400-1200 mm
Thickness Option: 25, 50, 100 mm
Optional Accessories
Joined Optical Table.Joined Table Systems allow optical tables to be connected in "L", "T", or cross-shaped configurations—end-to-end, side-to-side, or mixed. Ideal for large or complex setups, these matched systems are precision-assembled and tested in-factory for flatness, then shipped dismantled for easy on-site assembly.
Overhead Shelf System.Overhead Optical Table Shelf Systems streamline lab space, supporting power supplies, controllers, oscilloscopes, and more. Dual-sided top outlets offer easy access to power, while adjustable shelves provide flexible, efficient organization.
Table Enclosure.Our optical table enclosure is a fully custom, rigid housing designed to protect sensitive experiments from dust, drafts and ambient light while keeping your setup accessible and easy to work with.