PI -- the inventor of piezo Z nano-focus devices for microscope objectives --introduces a new Piezo-Z insert for sample scanning and nano-positioning. The P-737 Piezo Z-Stage for high performance Z-focusing and Super Resolution Microscopy applications.
Features & Advantages
- High-Speed Nanopositioning
- Piezo Z-Motion with Travel Ranges to 500 µm
- Large Clear Aperture to Accommodate Specimen Holders
- Perfect Mechanical Fit to XY OEM Manual or Motorized Stages
- Choice of Controllers: Digital, Analog w/ Display or Compact Controller
- Custom Tuning for Highest Speed
- Nanometer Resolution: Ideal for Super Resolution Microscopy
- Compatible w/ all Major Image Acquisition Packages
- Closed-Loop for Nanometer Precise Motion Control
The P-737 specimen Z-stage is a new member in a large family of products for microscope automation. Specifically designed for research microscopes utilizing deconvolution and 3D imaging techniques, the P-737 PIFOC Z-insert piezo stage features up to 500 µm travel, millisecond responsiveness and nanometer precise motion under closed-loop control.
High resolution 3D-Microscopy / Z-stack Image Acquisition: How it Works
The PIFOC® units are ideal for high speed Z-stack image acquisition, the basis for the generation of 3-D views of samples in high-resolution, optical microscopes. Conventional Z-motors and z-stages use a motorized actuator and motor motion controller to create numerous focus planes during focusing. The individual “slices” are then processed with special software to form one 3-D image. PIFOC® systems are compatible with all major image acquisition packages.
Faster and Higher Resolution with Piezo
Piezo-actuated Z-drives, can achieve significantly higher focusing speed (typically 5 to 10 msec vs. 100 to 500 msec) and resolution (typically 1 nm vs. 0.1 µm) than stepper motor-drives and thus provide higher-quality images in less time.
Piezo Z-Stages and Objective Steppers
The P-737 PIFOC® piezo-stage is an addition to the wide variety of PIFOC® branded high-speed microscope lens Z-steppers. While no sample Z-stage can beat the speed of the fastest PIFOC® objective nanopositioners (due to the stiffer, more compact design), the P-737 PIFOC® stage allows for convenient Z-stack imaging with multiple objectives and very high throughput.
Piezo Z-Stages vs. Conventional Stepper Nano-Focus Drives
The fast response of the P-737 piezo stage fully utilizes the high throughput of the latest digital imaging systems and achieves 20 to 50 times faster response than conventional stepper motor focus drives.
The P-737 PIFOC® stage is available with a number of analog and highly sophisticated digital piezostage motion controllers and can be controlled through digital interfaces as well as by fast analog signals through a high-speed 0-10V input. The system is fully compatible with all leading imaging acquisition packages. For ease of integration, a comprehensive set of LabView drivers is included, even with the analog control option.
Application Examples
3D imaging, cell biology, Z-stack acquisition, autofocusing, scanning and alignment tasks in microscopy, biotechnology.
Datasheets & Additional Information
