Technical Notes

This technical note describes the fundamentals of vibration and how these concepts relate to measurable parameters such as compliance and maximum relative motion.

The term optical table system typically refers to a vibration-isolation system, that is, the tabletop plus the support system.

Newport's VIB320 Series isolators utilize patented VIBe™ technology to attenuate the transmission of vibrations without the need for electronics, air hoses, compressor or other supporting hardware. They offer robustness for tough environments, quicker settling time than pneumatic isolators and maintenance-free operation.

Newport offers a wide variety of Optical Tables including our broadband damped RPR Series Optical Tables, precision tuned damped RS Series Optical Tables, and actively damped SmartTable Optical Tables with IQ Damping Technology. Our optical table solutions are designed to fit any performance, budget and delivery need.

The University of Arizona chooses Newport Optical Tables as the Foundation for their New Grand Challenges Research Building.

The Vision IsoStation provides industry leading performance and more user friendly features and accessories than any other vibration isolation workstation. All of the features and accessories have been designed specifically to improve ease–of–installation, set-up and lab space utilization.

This glossary covers the important terms related to vibration control.

Vibration and vibration isolation are both intimately connected with the phenomenon of resonance and simple harmonic motion. A simple example of harmonic motion is a mass connected to a flexible cantilevered beam. External force, either from a one-time impulse or from a periodic force such as vibration, will cause the system to resonate as the spring alternately stores and imparts energy to the moving mass.

Newport’s doubled table concept utilizes a unique joining or “doubler” interface that maintains strength and rigidity across the interface between individual table sections. Using doublers, tables can be joined end-to-end, side-to-side, or side-to-end, to create longer, wider or “L”, “T”, or “Cross” shaped tables.

With more than 40 years of experience in custom vibration control products, Newport's capabilities in less magnetic tables are extensive.

Special lengths and widths are probably the most common variation for a custom table. Rectangular sizes are usually charged at the standard price for the next larger size. Newport has the equipment available to fabricate, machine, and handle panels up to very large sizes.

Detailed instructions for setting up your Newport Optical table and Isolators. Makes optical table installation a breeze.

The primary goal of an optical table system is to eliminate relative motion between position sensitive components across the table work surface. The vibration isolator system is designed to filter floor vibration before it can reach the table top and disturb an optical beam path. The honeycomb structure of the optical table is designed to rigidly resist deflection from moving loads or any vibration that passes through the isolation system.

These generic criterion curves have been developed on the basis of data from individual systems and measurements made in facilities both before and after vibration problems had been solved. Moreover, they have been used extensively by leading vibration consultants for the semiconductor manufacturing industry for almost 20 years, and have been extended and refined as the industry has moved to narrower line widths.

Newport Optical Breadboards to fit any performance, budget or timeline are offered by Newport. Our optical breadboards range from economic Solid Aluminum Breadboard Plates all the way to the top-of-line Precision Grade Optical Breadboards. Many of our optical breadboards have the Microlock™ option.

No actual structure is a perfectly rigid body - all structures vibrate by flexing and twisting. The response of structures to random vibrations can be quite complicated because they vibrate with complex deformations and have more than one resonant frequency. The compliance curve, the classic method of measuring dynamic rigidity, is a useful tool for evaluating the basic dynamics of a vibrating structure.

The VIBe Isolation Baseplate from Newport Corporation provides a simple solution for isolating microscopes and other sensitive instruments from harmful laboratory vibration.

An overview of the SmartTable OTS optical table system from Newport Corporation. Covers key features and field upgradeable accessories in detail for upgradable vibration isolation table systems

An overview of the SmartTable OTS optical table system from Newport Corporation. Covers key features and field upgradeable accessories in detail for upgradable vibration isolation table systems

S-2000 Stabilizer™ Pneumatic Isolators with Automatic Re-Leveling Overview with detailed discussion of technical specifications and construction