The LIGO outreach interferometer got upgraded to a real breadboard and ThorLabs parts. They needed a way to mount their laser pointer. I used the plastic mount from the old mount as well as some of the half-inch hardware to mount it.
This equipment includes:
- 1/2 inch post. Four inches long (1)
- 1/2 inch post. One inch long (1)
- 90 degree 1/2 inch post connector (1)
- 1/2 post base. One inch tall (1)
- post holder base (1)
- Associated screws
We (meaning LIGO) should really get a Thorlabs laser that is brighter and more reliable than a laser pointer. One suggestion is this the Thorlabs CPS532-C2 with the DS5 power supply so that it can be run off of a USB A battery pack. The Thorlabs MK11F would be perfect for mounting it on a breadboard. Also a viewing screen like the Thorlabs EDU-VS2 would be perfect. Thorlabs also offers a Michelson interferometer educational kit that has lots of the components that would be needed but it includes too many extras and the breadboard is overkill for this application.