The Thorlabs 24×24 optical breadboard provides a precision-engineered platform for mounting optomechanical components in laboratory and prototype environments. Available in aluminum, honeycomb, and stainless steel variants, these breadboards feature 1/4″-20 tapped holes on 1-inch centers (or M6 on 25 mm centers) machined through the full thickness to enable bidirectional mounting. The matte black anodized finish on aluminum variants and passivated treatment on stainless steel minimize reflections and surface contamination, critical for sensitive optical experiments. Four corner-mounted counterbored holes and, on larger boards, a center mounting hole provide secure attachment to lab benches and optical frames.
Technical Specifications
• Dimensions: 609.6 mm × 609.6 mm (24 inches × 24 inches)
• Mounting hole pattern: 1/4″-20 tapped holes on 1-inch (25.4 mm) centers; M6 metric alternative on 25 mm centers
• Hole spacing from edge: 12.5 mm (0.5 inches)
• Corner mounting holes: Four 1/4″-20 (M6) counterbored holes inset 25 mm (1 inch) from each edge; additional center hole on boards 450 mm or wider
• Through-tapped design: Holes threaded completely through breadboard thickness
Aluminum Breadboards
• Material: Solid aluminum plate
• Thickness: 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) or 19.05 mm (0.75 inch)
• Finish: Matte black anodized
• Flatness: 0.15 mm over 0.09 m² (0.006 inch over 1 square foot)
• Magnetic properties: Non-magnetic
Honeycomb Breadboards (e.g., AHB2424G)
• Core construction: High-density plated steel honeycomb, 0.26 mm thick
• Thickness: 55.9 mm (2.2 inches) or 57.91 mm (2.28 inches)
• Flatness: ±152.4 μm over 600 mm
Stainless Steel Breadboards
• Material: 416 stainless steel
• Thickness: 12.7 mm (0.5 inch)
• Finish: Passivated
• Vacuum compatibility: 10⁻⁶ Torr (outgassing)
• Magnetic properties: Magnetic; can attach to aluminum boards for added functionality
– Key Features
• Through-tapped holes enable component mounting on both upper and lower surfaces
• Multiple material options accommodate standard benchtop, high-stiffness, and vacuum applications
• Sealed honeycomb core in thick variants reduces vibration transmission and weight versus solid aluminum
• Passivated stainless steel option eliminates outgassing for UHV systems
– Typical Applications
• Optical path assembly and reconfiguration
• Precision component mounting in laser and imaging systems
• Experimental apparatus prototyping
• Vacuum chamber optical staging
– Compatibility & Integration
Magnetic stainless steel variants integrate with standard aluminum breadboards to add magnetic component mounting capability. All hole patterns conform to industry standard optomechanical component interfaces.
