A low-cost mirror mount control system for optics setups

Abstract

We describe a flexible, simple to build, low-cost, and computer-controlled optical mirror actuator system we developed for undergraduate research laboratories. Geared motors for hobby robotics are controlled by an Arduino microcontroller board in combination with an H bridge to finely position the mirror mount actuators. We present a graphical user interface based on the free Python script language. The price of the fully controlled actuator system is thus only a small fraction of the price of any commercial system; however, it is quickly implementable due to the use of open hardware electronics. We show the performance of the system and give an outlook for future expansions and use in advanced optical setups.