http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Laser-beam-sharing-via-multi-mode-fibers-tp7584037p7584044.html
Alternatively a motorised flip mirror would prevent users from touching anything useful:
I've used the Thorlabs one - it has a remote control (useful), and although I don't have a s sensitive an application for it, I do find it to be very good.
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:08:12 +0630
> From:
[hidden email]
> Subject: Re: Laser beam sharing via multi-mode fibers
> To:
[hidden email]
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy> Post images on
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> *****
>
> A mirror on a good quality translation stage may be more stable. Of
> course, a large core (50 microns or bigger) multimode fiber is rather
> forgiving and a flip mount may do just fine.
> Sudipta
> On Thu, 30 Jul 2015 01:12:34 -0700, Joshua Vaughan wrote
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >
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http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Dear Kyle,
> >
> > I believe a good flipper mount would have sufficient return accuracy
> > when aligned carefully to flip in the plane of the mirror (e.g.,
> > 'sideways') but it is a little bit of a hassle and someone will
> > eventually bump the mirror.
> >
> > How about using a polarizer to split the beam and in front of that
> install
> > a half waveplate to allow you to select the ratio of power between
> > the two paths? This seems more robust for general use in my opinion.
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Josh
> >
> > On Thu, Jul 30, 2015 at 12:25 AM, Kyle Douglass <
[hidden email]>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > *****
> > > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > >
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy> > > Post images on
http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > > *****
> > >
> > > Hello everyone,
> > >
> > > In my lab we have two microscope setups in two different rooms
> separated
> > > by a hallway between them. One of our microscopes has a free-space
> laser
> > > that must remain in place; however, I would like to use this laser
> with the
> > > microscope located in the other room while maintaining its ability to
> be
> > > used with its current microscope. Both microscopes accept free-space
> beams
> > > as inputs for fluorescence microscopy in an epi-illumination geometry.
> > >
> > > I am considering the following solution: introduce a flipper mirror
> before
> > > the fixed laser to allow me to switch between a path that would send
> the
> > > beam into its current microscope and another path that would couple
> the
> > > beam into a long multi-mode fiber. I would then run the fiber above
> the
> > > ceiling panels between the labs and onto the table of the other setup,
> > > where the output light would be collimated and introduced like normal
> into
> > > the other microscope. I do not require a single-mode beam for the
> second
> > > microscope. In fact, I am proposing to use a multi-mode beam to
> achieve a
> > > better power coupling efficiency into the fiber and to prevent burning
> the
> > > fiber cladding by allowing for larger focal spot sizes when coupling.
> I
> > > also am not concerned about the speckle on the sample since I am
> averaging
> > > over multiple speckle patterns during the acquisition of a single
> frame.
> > >
> > > My primary concern is the stability of the input and output couplers.
> The
> > > microscopes are used by people with little optics experience and this
> > > solution must be as easy as possible to switch between the two paths.
> > > Ideally, the only action required would be to flip the mirror up or
> down
> > > (after the initial alignment, of course).
> > >
> > > Here are my questions:
> > > 1. Has anyone tried such an approach with satisfactory results and
> would
> > > be willing to comment?
> > > 2. Would vibration of the fiber significantly affect its propagation
> > > direction upon leaving the output coupler?
> > > 3. Would a "standard" flipper mirror or magnetic mount have sufficient
> > > return accuracy to avoid having to adjust the input coupler alignment
> every
> > > time we switched between microscopes?
> > > 4. Is there another obvious solution I am missing?
> > >
> > > Thanks for the responses!
> > > Kyle
> > >
> > > --
> > > Kyle M. Douglass, PhD
> > > Post-doctoral researcher
> > > The Laboratory of Experimental Biophysics
> > > EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
> > >
http://kmdouglass.github.io> > >
http://leb.epfl.ch> > >
> >
> > --
> > Joshua C. Vaughan
> > Assistant Professor
> > Department of Chemistry
> > Box 351700
> > University of Washington
> > Seattle, WA 98195
> > 206-543-4644
>
>
> Prof. Sudipta Maiti
> Dept. of Chemical Sciences
> Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
> Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba
> Mumbai 400005, India
> Ph. +91 222 278 2716
> Alternate e-mail:
[hidden email]
> webpage: biophotonics.co.in