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  Features
The tuning fork chopper is a FIXED FREQUENCY,
electromechanically driven light chopper. Vanes attached to moving tines of a
fork modulate a light beam. The chopper operates at the natural resonant
frequency established by the effective mass of the moving assembly and the
spring constant of the tines.
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One fixed frequency, between 10 Hz and 6 kHz |
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Aperture up to 10 mm |
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Small size/ lightweight |
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Low cost |
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Withstands shock and vibration |
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Low power drive electronics |
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Rugged, no wearing parts |
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High reliability, long life |
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High frequency stability (to 0.005%) |
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High amplitude stability (<0.01%) |
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Vacuum operation (to 10-10 Torr)
1 |
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High/low temperature operation (Cryogenic temperatures to
200 C) 1 |
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Jitter free operation |
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No radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI) |
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Reference signal available |
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Metal vanes are standard, mirrors, prisms or lenses optional
1 |
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Single vane for alternate beam chopper 1 |
1Available on special order
 Chopping frequency ranges from 10 Hz to 6
KHz, apertures up to 15mm are practical in the lower frequencies (under 100
Hz), 0.5mm at 3 KHz and 0.2mm at 6 KHz. If the beam size is limiting the
chopper rate, consider focusing at the chopper to reduce the beam size. The
amplitude of the motion of the chopper is inversely proportional to its
frequency. Dark or bright vanes are standard; mirrors, lenses or gratings
optional.
Low cost, compact size, lightweight and virtually
unlimited life make the tuning fork choppers especially suitable for dedicated
applications, OEM, built into an instrument or system, and for portable
systems.
Balanced operation and high "Q" insure excellent
frequency stability, low electrical drive power and low reaction forces. High
flexural stiffness provides good resistance to shock and vibration. Tuning fork
choppers are cryogenic and high temperature (200°C) capable. They can be
constructed of low out-gassing materials for ultra high vacuum (10-10 Torr)
applications. The choppers are excellent candidates for use in harsh industrial
environments as well as in deep space environmental research, non-invasive
medical research and laboratory research applications.
Please contact us
for more details. |
