Annular Aperture Obstruction Targets


  • Obstruction Diameters Ranging from 50 µm to 1700 µm
  • Pinhole Diameters Ranging from 300 µm to 2000 µm
  • Blocking Region with Optical Density ≥ 6
  • 0.5 mm Thick Quartz Substrate in Ø1" Aluminum Housing

R1DF100

Annular Aperture Target
Obstruction Diameter = 100 µm
Pinhole Diameter = 1000 µm

Application Idea

R1CA2000 Obstruction Target Mounted in a CXY1Q Translation Mount with Quick-Release Plate

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Features

  • Increase Contrast when Imaging Biological Systems
  • Filter Out Lower Order Spatial Modes
  • 0.5 mm Thick Quartz Substrate
  • Blocking Region (OD ≥ 6) Created Using a Chrome Mask
  • AR Coating Over Chrome Mask to Minimize Back Reflections
  • Aluminum Housing with a 1" Outer Diameter

Thorlabs' Annular Aperture Obstruction Targets (AAOTs) are ideal for increasing the contrast when imaging biological systems or filtering out lower order modes. Each AAOT is characterized by the ratio (ε) between the obstruction diameter (OD) and the pinhole diameter (PD). Thorlabs offers Annulus Aperture targets that are designed with either a constant 1 mm pinhole diameter for high-pass spatial filtering applications, or a constant ε ratio for confocal microscopy applications.

They are fabricated from 0.5 mm thick quartz glass substrate that has high transmission in the 400 - 2200 nm wavelength range. The clear aperture annulus is created using a chrome mask with an optical density ≥ 6 that blocks light from being transmiitted though the inner obstruction target and outer obstruction region. The AAOT is then mounted within a housing that has a 1" outer diameter for mounting within our translation mounts for Ø1" optics, as shown in the image above. The glass substrate is mounted with the chrome mask facing towards the engraved side of the housing. To minimize back reflections, we recommend having the AR-coated chrome mask facing the light souce when used.


Posted Comments:
user  (posted 2019-11-12 01:28:54.313)
Hello. Can I purchase blank disks? I want to purchase disks without an annular structure at the center. Best regards, Sang.
YLohia  (posted 2019-11-12 12:24:45.0)
Hello Sang, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Custom items can be requested by emailing techsupport@thorlabs.com. We will reach out to you directly to discuss the possibility of offering this.
h.wu  (posted 2017-11-29 14:35:26.623)
Could you make customized annular aperture obstruction targets for us?
tfrisch  (posted 2017-12-12 04:32:36.0)
Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We are able to offer a new size of Annular Obstruction Target. This would require a new master to be made and can be cost prohibitive for low quantities. I will reach out to you directly to discuss a formal quote.
kwjae92  (posted 2017-11-06 01:42:06.177)
Hi, my name is woojae Kang and i have a question about annular aperture. Could I make a custom size annular aperture ? I want ~10mm PD and ~8-9mm OD. Thanks.
tfrisch  (posted 2017-12-19 04:54:32.0)
Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. A custom size would require a new master which can be cost prohibitive for low quantities. I will reach out to you directly to discuss a formal quote.
aphillips  (posted 2017-07-27 15:22:53.21)
I'm looking for annular aperture obstruction targets in a 1/2" housing. What are our options? Can the targets be easily removed from the 1" housing and placed in a custom housing?
tfrisch  (posted 2017-08-16 10:03:41.0)
Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We can provide unmounted versions as a custom. We will reach out to you with a quote.
dan.reynolds  (posted 2017-01-06 08:40:40.773)
I'm looking for a high pass filter for a Fourier optics set and one of these annular apertures would fit the bill nicely. However, I might have higher spatial frequencies that are more than 2mm from the center. Could you make one of these with a 15mm pinhole diameter and somewhere between 100 to 3000um obstruction diameter?
tfrisch  (posted 2017-01-06 11:12:46.0)
Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. I will reach out to you directly about the specific requirements for your application.
user  (posted 2016-04-15 11:23:55.733)
http://www.thorlabs.co.jp/images/tabimages/Annular_Aperture_Target_Equation_D1-182.gif e should be (Pinhole)/(Obstruction)
besembeson  (posted 2016-04-15 04:38:05.0)
Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: We define this in this case to be the inverse. Please contact me at techsupport@thorlabs.com if you have any questions or need some clarifications.

Obstruction Targets: Annular Aperture, 0.05 or 0.10 Ratio


Click to Enlarge

Close-Up Photo of an Obstruction Pinhole
OD: Obstruction Diameter
PD: Pinhole Diameter
  • Constant Pinhole Diameter of 1 mm
  • Obstruction Diameters of 50 µm or 100 µm
  • Ø1" Housing can be Mounted in Many of our Translation Mounts for Fine Alignment
  • Ideal for High-Pass Spatial Filtering Applications
  • Can be Used in Our Pre-Assembled Spatial Filter System

These Annular Aperture Obstruction Targets have an obstruction-to-pinhole ratio (ε) of either 0.05 or 0.10, making them ideal for use as high-pass or edge-enhancement filters. When the Fourier plane is imaged onto the filter, the center region, which contains Gaussian light (TEM00), will become blocked by the center obstruction. This allows the higher order modes of the Fourier plane, which contain diffraction information, to pass through and form the image. This will cause an overall loss of light intensity and generalized, smooth features, but it will enhance any sharp lines or boundaries.

Shown to the right is a close up photo of an obstruction pinhole with the pinhole diameter (PD) and obstruction diameter (OD) labeled. The chrome-masked area appears black, and light is transmitted through the clear aperture.

Item # ε Ratioa Obstruction Diameter Pinhole Diameter Annular Aperture Concentricity Glass Thickness
with Respect to Housingb with Respect to Substratec
R1DF50 0.05 50 µm 1 mm <0.41 mm ≤216 µm 0.5 mm
R1DF100 0.10 100 µm
  • Ratio of the Obstruction Diameter to the Pinhole Diameter (See Photo to the Above Right)
  • Concentricity of the Annulus with Respect to the Outer Diameter of the Quartz Glass Substrate
  • Concentricity of the Annulus with Respect to the Outer Diameter of the Aluminum Housing
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
R1DF50 Support Documentation
R1DF50Customer Inspired! Annular Obstruction Target, ε = 0.05, Ø50 µm Obstruction
$178.19
Today
R1DF100 Support Documentation
R1DF100Customer Inspired! Annular Obstruction Target, ε = 0.10, Ø100 µm Obstruction
$178.19
Today
R1DF500 Support Documentation
R1DF500Customer Inspired! Annular Obstruction Target, ε = 0.50, Ø500 µm Obstruction
$178.19
Today

Obstruction Targets: Annular Aperture, 0.85 Ratio


Click to Enlarge

Close-Up Photo of an Obstruction Pinhole
OD: Obstruction Diameter
PD: Pinhole Diameter
  • Constant ε Ratio of 0.85
  • Ø1" Housing can be Mounted in Many of our Translation Mounts for Fine Alignment
  • Ideal for Confocal Microscopy Applications
  • Can be Used in Our Pre-Assembled Spatial Filter System

These Annular Aperture Obstruction Targets have a constant obstruction-to-pinhole ratio (ε) of 0.85, making them ideal for increasing the lateral spatial resolution within confocal imaging systems. These filters are designed to be placed directly in front of the output of a light source such as a fiber-coupled laser. The system should be aligned so that the first bright diffraction spot of the light source is larger than the pinhole diameter of the annular aperture.

These annular apertures are often used in confocal and two-photon excitation microscopy to increase the lateral resolution of the imaging system or in confocal theta fluorescence microscopy to increase the lateral and axial resolution of the imaging system.

Shown to the right is a close up photo of an obstruction pinhole with the pinhole diameter (PD) and obstruction diameter (OD) labeled. The chrome-masked area appears black, and light is transmitted through the clear aperture.

Item #  ε Ratioa Obstruction Diameter Pinhole Diameter Concentricity Glass Thickness
with Respect to Housingb with Respect to Substratec
R1CA300 0.85 255 µm 300 µm <0.41 mm ≤216 µm 0.5 mm
R1CA1000 850 µm 1000 µm
R1CA2000 1700 µm 2000 µm
  • Ratio of the Obstruction Diameter to the Pinhole Diameter (See Photo to the Above Right)
  • Concentricity of the Annulus with Respect to the Outer Diameter of the Quartz Glass Substrate
  • Concentricity of the Annulus with Respect to the Outer Diameter of the Aluminum Housing
Limited Stock Icon

The R1CA300 will be retired without replacement when stock is depleted. If you require these parts for line production, please contact our OEM Team.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
R1CA1000 Support Documentation
R1CA1000Customer Inspired! Annular Obstruction Target, ε = 0.85, Ø850 µm Obstruction
$178.19
Today
R1CA2000 Support Documentation
R1CA2000Customer Inspired! Annular Obstruction Target, ε = 0.85, Ø1700 µm Obstruction
$178.19
Today