Servo-based light shutters with Arduino control

TL;DR

This paper presents an open-source, low-cost, Arduino-controlled shutter system using servo motors, offering customizable control options and easy integration for optical experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a versatile, affordable shutter design with comprehensive hardware and software resources, enhancing accessibility and adaptability over commercial alternatives.

Findings

System is low-cost and easy to assemble.

Multiple shutters can be controlled simultaneously.

Flexible control methods including display, USB, and electrical lines.

Abstract

In optical experiments, shutters are devices that open or close a path of light. They are often used to limit the duration of light exposure onto a target or onto a detector in order to reduce possible light-induced damage. Many commercial shutters are available for different applications - some provide very fast opening and closing times, some can handle large optical powers, and others allow for fail-safe operation. Many of these devices are costly and offer limited control options. Here we provide an open-source design for a low-cost, general purpose shutter system based on ubiquitous servo motors that are connected to an Arduino-based controller. Several shutters can be controlled by one controller, further reducing system cost. The state of the shutters can be controlled via a display built into the controller, by serial commands via USB, or by electrical control lines. The use of a microcontroller makes the shutter controller adaptable - only control options that are used need to be included, and the design accommodates a selection of display and servo options. We provide designs for all required components, including 3D print files for the servo holders and cases, software for the Arduino, libraries for serial communication (C and python), and example graphical user interfaces for testing.