Mounting of ZP and/or OSA on glass cones

A mounted order sorting aperture (OSA) is shown in Fig. 12.4. The mounting of a zone plate (ZP) is done in the same way (no figure). Secure the glass cone (short cones with large taper are for OSA, long cones with shallow taper for ZP) onto the stainless steel right angle bracket with 5-minute epoxy (3 beads of epoxy work well) and let it cure. Apply a film of 5-minute epoxy onto the rim of the glass cone, and center the stainless steel mounting shim (large dia for OSA, small dia for ZP). Cover with a paper towel and a glass slide (for flatness) and put a weight on top while curing to straighten out the shim. Glue the OSA or ZP onto the shim with nail polish (or 5-minute epoxy if you are sure what you are doing), making sure not to add extruding material. For flowing Helium into the cone (necessary for alignment with open chamber), a hose is routed to the inside of the cone and the Helium is contained with piece of silicon membrane that has a hole (piece of glove or balloon). Refer to the figure or previously mounted ZP or OSA for inspiration.

Figure 12.4: A finished OSA assembly. On top of the kinematic mount we have a stainless steel right angle bracket (B). On top of the glass cone (A), we have a mounting shim (C) that holds the order sorting aperture.