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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 December 2010
The Canadian Light Source far infrared (IR) beamline uses seven mirrors to transport the IR light to the spectrometer experimental station (May et al. 2006). A new mirror mount provides more stability and precision control of mirror alignment. The design uses a gimbal arrangement that reflects the IR beam through 90°. Internal motor actuators for 2° of angular rotation (pitch and roll) and 1° of translation drive the mount. The two independent rotation axes intersect at the mirror centre to minimize translation offset when rotated. Translation along the incoming beam axis allows focus adjustment of the elliptical mirrors mounted. Beam steering using closed loop control with position feedback is precise and repeatable. Piezo-actuator tilting mirrors in an active optics system use this gimbal design for mounting. The design is compact and scales to the size of the mirror to be mounted; this allows installing new components into the existing chambers. We present features of the mount that include in-vacuum operation (Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) possible with change of motor type), economic materials and ability to handle heavy elements of 33 kg or more.