Because the thermal deflection of optical mounts can be characterized, and these deflections can be controlled through thermal expansion compensation, the thermal deflection of an optical mount can be nearly eliminated. This patent-pending innovation is called ZeroDrift™ Technology.

Our tests show that ZeroDrift™ technology reduced the thermal drift of a stainless steel mirror mount by 85%.  The graph shows thermal drift of 6 µrad and shift of 1 µrad.

ZeroDrift technology has been combined with our low wavefront distortion (LWD) retainer to hold mirrors in a way that will not induce optical distortion. It uses an axial three-point mounting method to gently, but securely, hold optics with tight flatness tolerances.

For long-term stability, Suprema^® ZeroDrift™ Mirror Mounts feature lockable adjustment screws. The jam nut lock, used for SS100T, exerts an axial force on the adjustment screw which locks the mirror mount's alignment in place and can be tightened by hand. The lever lock, used for the ST05 models, and the flexure lock built with an AJS bushing, used for SU100TW, exert a tangential force on the screw to prevent rotation. Adjustment and locking actions for these models are accomplished using a single tool from the same side of the mount.

The Suprema^® ZeroDrift™ Mirror Mounts are offered in both front- and rear-loading versions. Installing a mirror from the front is more convenient, which can be useful when replacing mirrors without having to disrupt an optical system setup or remove its components. Rear-loading a mirror guarantees that the reflective surface will be flat on the face of the mount irrespective of the mirror's thickness.

Suprema^® ZeroDrift™ Mirror Mounts offer two types of front loading versions. The standard front loading version uses a set screw to secure the optic while the retaining plate featured in SU100TW-F2K uses 3-point axial clamping for securing the optic which reduces mounting stress.