- OEM / SystemsOEM Systems | Precision Components | Automation Sub-SystemsPI offers 1000’s of proven, off-the-shelf precision motion products that can be quickly modified for the OEM or into a custom automation sub-system.
- Meeting the Demands of OEMsOEM Systems | Precision Components | Automation Sub-SystemsPI has a long track record of working with OEMs in the most demanding industries from Semiconductor Technology to Medical Design – industries where product performance, quality, and the ability to ramp up quickly are not the only parameters required to satisfy the customer's demands. Working with technology leaders all around the world forces you to continuously improve your yield, process, and product performance. And unless your quality is outstanding, you cannot become a key supplier to major US, European, and Japanese companies in the Optics, Photonics, Semiconductor, and Automotive industry.
- Engineered Motion / Automation Sub-SystemsPrecision Automation Solutions | Engineered SystemsPI is a supplier of high-end precision motion systems and makes use of own drive components and high-precision positioners to build customized positioning and automation sub-systems —“motion engines”—for our customers. With the largest portfolio of precision motion technologies in the industry, PI engineers have the best foundation to find a solution that matches your requirements in terms of precision, quality and budget – in a timeframe that works for you.
- Meeting the Demands of OEMs
- ProductsPrecision Motion Technologies | Positioning SystemsOverview of the Broadest & Deepest Portfolio of Precision Motion and Automation Technologies from Piezo to Air Bearings and Linear Motors
- Products: Overview, New, Finder, ShopFind Precision Positioning Solutions Quickly - Product Finder | PI USAWith thousands of standard products and customization available, PI has the motion control positioning product solution for your application.
- Products OverviewProducts OverviewOverview of the Broadest & Deepest Portfolio of Precision Motion and Automation Technologies from Piezo to Air Bearings and Linear Motors
- New ProductsNew Motion Control & Precision Positioning Products | PI USALearn about the latest innovations in motion control and nanopositioning components and systems.
- Product FinderUse the PI Product Finder - it's fast and easy!Select the product type specified by the axes of motion required. Selection of more criteria expands or shortens the list of results. Select more than one filter at at time, for example, to find positioning stages designed for higher load capacity, too.
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- Products Overview
- Air Bearings & Ultra High Precision StagesAir Bearing Stages | Motorized | Linear | RotaryAir bearings provide advantages over mechanical bearings when vibration-free motion is required, highly constant velocity control is crucial, and when angular repeatability and geometric performance must be optimal. Air bearing stages (linear, rotary, and spherical) replace mechanical contact by a thin air film, avoiding wear, friction, vibration, and hysteresis effects.
- Miniature Positioning StagesMiniature Positioning Stages | Supplier | ManufacturerCompact positioning stages are crucial for the miniaturization process in cutting-edge research and industrial applications, for test & measurement, optical and opto-mechanical alignment, and component assembly. PI provides the largest portfolio of miniature stages, including high-speed linear motor stages, economical stepper motor units, and ultra-compact piezo motor positioners.
- Motorized Stages: Linear, Rotary, XYMotorized Stages | Positioning | ManufacturerPI offers the broadest and deepest range of precision motion technologies for micro and nano precision applications. Our engineers work with our customers to find the best drive and bearing technology for each individual application. Having access to multiple drive and positioning technologies allows an open discussion with a better outcome for the customer.
- Overview - Motorized Linear/Rotary StagesOverview - Motorized Linear/Rotary Stages
- Linear StagesLinear Stages - Precision Positioning Solutions | PI USASeveral types of motorized precision linear translation stages | PI USA
- Fast Linear Motor Stages and ActuatorsOverview: Linear Stage, Linear Motor Driven, Fast Brushless Motor Positioning Stages | PI USABrushless linear motor-driven stages provide high speed, precision and long life.
- Z-Stages (Vertical Motion)Vertical Linear Stages – Precision Motorized Z-Positioners | PI USA
- XY StagesXY Stages – 2-Axis Motorized Precision Positioning Stages | PI USASeveral types of planar XY stages: Direct-driven stages, ball-screw stages and air bearing planar XY stages
- XYZ StagesXYZ Stage - Multi-Axis Precision Motorized Stages
- Rotary Stages / GoniometersPrecision Rotation Stage, High Resolution Rotary Positioners, Rotation Tables, Goniometers, by PI USASeveral types of motorized rotation stages: Direct-driven stages, ball-bearing stages and air bearing stages
- Heavy Duty Stages / Industrial AutomationHigh Speed / Performance Positioning Stages for Automation - Linear Stages | Rotary Stages | PI USAHigh performance motorized stages, designed for heavy duty applications in industrial precison automation.
- Sub-Systems for AutomationSYS > Engineered Motion/Automation Sub-SystemsThe PI group employs over 1,200 people in 15 countries and runs engineering and manufacturing centers on 3 continents. Select from the broadest portfolio of precision motion technologies, including piezoelectric and air bearing systems, with 1,000’s of standard products or have our engineers provide you with a custom solution.
- Overview - Motorized Linear/Rotary Stages
- Linear ActuatorsActuators | Precision | Linear | Actuator SystemA precision linear actuator is a positioning device that provides motion in 1 degree of freedom. PI designs and manufactures a variety of precision linear actuators (pushers) including economical stepper-motor driven actuators, high-speed linear motor types for automation and nanometer precise piezo-motor actuators.
- Gantries / Cartesian RobotsGantry Stages | Gantries | Cartesian RobotA gantry precision positioning stage is sometimes called a linear robot or Cartesian robot. Gantries typically provide motion in 2 or 3 linear degrees of freedom (X-Y and X-Y-Z) and are often used for pick and place applications, 3D printing or laser machining, and welding applications.
- 6-Axis Hexapods / Parallel PositionersHexapod Positioner | Six DOF | Stewart PlatformsHexapod positioners are often referred to as Stewart Platforms. A hexapod is based on a 6-axis (XYZ, Pitch, Roll, Yaw) actuator system arranged in parallel between a top and bottom platform. PI parallel kinematics (PKM) precision positioning systems have many advantages over serial kinematics stages, such as lower inertia, improved dynamics, smaller package size and higher stiffness. In addition hexapods are more flexible than conventional 6 axis positioners.
- 6-Axis Hexapods / Parallel Positioners6-Axis Hexapods / Parallel Positioners
- Control of Hexapod / Stewart Platforms: Hexapod Motion Controllers & Simulation Software6DOF Motion Platforms | Hexapod Controllers & Simulation Software | Stewart Platform | ManufacturerControllers, software and accessories for Hexapod Stewart platforms and parallel kinematic motion systems | PI USA
- 6-Axis Hexapods / Parallel Positioners
- Piezo Flexure Nanopositioning StagesNanometer Precision: Piezo Stages for Nanopositioning, Piezo Nanopositioners, Piezo Flexure Scanning Stages | PI USAPI offers the broadest and deepest portfolio of nanometer precision motion technologies, from piezo-driven nanopositioning and scanning stages to motorized 6-axis hexapod positioning systems.
- Overview - Piezo Flexure StagesOverview - Piezo Flexure Stages
- Linear Piezo Flexure StagesLinear Piezo Stages for Nanopositioning – Flexure-Guided Precision NanoPositioners | PI USALargest selection of frictionless, high performance piezo-stack-driven flexure linear nanopositioning stages | PI USA
- Vertical & Tip/Tilt Piezo StagesPiezo Z-Stage, Piezo Z-Tip-Tilt Platform. Flexure Guided Nanopositioning Stages| PI USALarge selection of Piezo Z-Stages and Tip/Tilt scanners with nanometer precision | PI USA
- Fast Steering Mirrors & Tip/Tilt PlatformsPiezo Steering Mirrors | Active Optics
- Nanofocus Lens ScannersFast Piezo Focus Lens Positioners and Scanners – Piezo Flexure Guided Precision Positioners | PI USALargest Selection of Nano-Focus drives for microscope lenses – flexure-guided precision positioners
- XY Piezo Flexure StagesPiezo Stages | XY | Nanopositioning StagesLargest selection of integrated XY piezo flexure stages with nanometer precision.
- XYZ Piezo Flexure StagesXYZ Piezo Nanopositioning Stages – Flexure Guided 3-Axis Precision Positioners | PI USALargest selection of integrated XYZ piezo flexure stages with nanometer precision.
- 6-Axis Piezo Flexure Stages6-Axis Piezo Nanopositioning Stages – Flexure Guided Precision Positioners | PI USAPiezo-driven fast steering mirrors (FSM) achieve nanoradian resolution and high bandwidth.
- Tutorial - Piezo NanopositioningNanometer Precision: Nanopositioning Basics Tutorial. Piezo Nanopositioners, Scanning Stages, Flexure Guided Positioners | PI USAThere are several ways to achieve nanometer precision motion. The best positioning systems avoid friction all together, in both the drive system (motor) and in the guiding system (bearings). Frictionless bearings also avoid the bearing rumble caused by balls and rollers and provide vibration-free motion with highly constant velocity.
- Overview - Piezo Flexure Stages
- Piezo Motors: Stages & ActuatorsPiezo Motors | Linear Motor Positioners | ManufacturerPiezo Motors are intrinsically vacuum compatible, non-magnetic and self locking at rest, providing long travel compared to traditional piezo mechanisms. The individual drive concepts are optimized for different applications, they differ in their design, size, cost, force & speed and other performance parameters.
- Overview - Piezo Motors (Stages/Actuators)Overview - Piezo Motors (Stages/Actuators)
- Actuators with Piezo MotorsCompact precision linear actuators stages with several types of piezo motor drives – ultrasonic, stick-slip, piezo-walk, piezo-ratchet. | PI USA
- Linear Stages with Piezo MotorsPrecision linear stages with several types of piezo motor drives – ultrasonic, stick-slip, piezo-walk, piezo-ratchet. | PI USA
- XY Stages with Piezo MotorsXY piezo motor linear stages with several types of precision piezo motor drives – ultrasonic, stick-slip, piezo-walk | PI USA
- XY Piezo Flexure StagesXY Piezo Flexure StagesHigh-precision 2-axis nanopositioning systems integrate PICMA® piezo actuators for maximum reliability. Repeatable, drift-free positioning with optimal stability is possible by the use of high-quality nanometrology sensors.
- Rotary Stages with Piezo MotorsRotary piezo motor stages with several types of precision piezo motors– ultrasonic, stick-slip (inertia), | PI USA
- Tutorial - Piezo Motion ControlWhy All Piezo Motors are NOT Created Equal: The piezoelectric effect for precision motion control - PI Physik Instrumente.The demand for higher speed and/or precision in fields such as bio-nanotechnology, semiconductors, metrology, data comm, and photonics keep pushing manufacturers to come up with innovative drive technologies.
- Overview - Piezo Motors (Stages/Actuators)
- Piezo Transducers & ActuatorsPiezo Actuator | Piezo Transducer | ManufacturerPiezoelectric translators (transducers) are precision ceramic actuators which convert electrical energy directly into linear motion with high speed, force and virtually unlimited resolution. These actuators are used in every modern high tech field from semiconductor test & inspection to super-resolution microscopy, bio-nanotechnology and astronomy/aerospace technology.
- Piezo Actuators & Transducers: Stacks, Chips, Benders, Tubes, Spheres, Shear…Piezo Actuators & Transducers: Stacks, Chips, Benders, Tubes, Spheres, Shear…
- Value-Added Piezo Transducers & Piezo AssembliesValue Added Piezo Assemblies: Transducers, Actuators, Sensors, Manufactured by PI CeramicDeveloping and manufacturing piezo ceramic materials and components are complex processes. PI Ceramic - PI’s piezo material design and manufacturing facility - boasts several decades of experience as well as the right tools for rapid prototyping of custom engineered piezo components and assemblies. From the formulation of advanced piezo materials to the processing steps such as cutting, milling, grinding, and the precision assembly, every stage is controlled by our engineers and product specialists.
- Piezo Ceramic ComponentsPiezo Ceramic Components
- Piezo Actuators & Transducers: Stacks, Chips, Benders, Tubes, Spheres, Shear…
- Microscopy, Bio-Imaging, Life SciencesHigh Precision Microscope Stages, Piezo Lens Scanners, Tools for Bio-Imaging | PI-USAPiezo nano-positioning stages are essential tools for high-resolution microscopy, such as Super Resolution Microscopy or AFM. Their sub-atomic resolution and extremely fast response allow researchers to create higher-quality images faster. PI provides a large variety of fast Z-Stages and collar piezo objective positioners for 3D imaging (Z-stack acquisition), deconvolution, and fast focusing applications.
- Stages for Microscopy & Bio-ImagingStages for Microscopy & Bio-Imaging
- Applications: Life Sciences / MedicalPrecision motion control for medical engineering and life sciences applications | PI USA
- Stages for Microscopy & Bio-Imaging
- Photonics Alignment SolutionsActive Photonics Alignment | Optics Alignment | SolutionsPI provides a variety of innovative fiber alignment systems from motorized fiber positioners to automated optic and photonic alignment such as used in telecommunication, data commumication and for packaging / automation. In addition to fiber-based applications, fast steering systems for free-space-optical communication are also available. Products range from motorized 6D micromotion alignment systems for industrial photonics automation, through ultra-fast piezoelectric scanning & alignment modules to modular devices with manual control for laboratory test setups. All motorized systems come with extensive software for easy setup and integration.
- Vacuum Positioning Stages & ActuatorsVacuum / UHV Compatible Stages - Linear & Rotary Positioners for Vacuum, Wide Temperature Ranges | PI USAPI miCos has extensive experience in the design and manufacturing of vacuum and high vacuum compatible precision optomechanical positioning equipment for low temperature and wide temperature ranges. We provide translation stages, vertical linear stages, rotation stages, XY stages and complex multi-axis positioning systems in vacuum spec.
- VacuumProduct Series with Vacuum-Ready ItemsPI offers specific catalogue items for selected product series that are already suitable for high vacuum (HV) or ultra-high vacuum (UHV).
- Vacuum
- Controllers, Drivers, Motion SoftwareMotion Controllers, Piezo Drivers-High Voltage Amplifiers, and Motion Software Overview | PI USA
- Overview - Controllers & Motion SoftwareOverview - Controllers & Motion Software
- Piezo Controller, Driver, Nanopositioning Controller, High-Voltage Amplifier, Piezo Power Supply by PI USAPiezo Drivers | Piezo Motion Controllers | ManufacturerA piezo controller or driver is used to control the motion of a piezo positioning device. There are open and closed loop controllers. Open-loop controllers are often referred to as piezo driver or even piezo power supply. Closed-loop controllers are divided in two basic types: analog-servo and digital servo controllers.
- Controllers/Drivers for Motorized StagesMotion Controller | Drivers | Positioning SystemsPI provides a large variety of hardware & software solutions for high precision motion control. Our portfolio spans from integrated compact single axis servo controllers / drivers, such as popular Mercury-class motion controllers, to complex multi-axis systems for parallel-kinematics positioners, such as hexapods.
- ACS Motion ControlACS Motion Control for Industrial AutomationWe recommend the controllers of our partner, ACS Motion Control especially for automation with industrial standards. Ask us about your integrated solution!
- Software - Motion Control SoftwareMotion Control Software | Software Tools | Positioning SolutionsFor LabView, C++, VB, Matlab, Image Acquisitiong Packages, NI DAC Cards, ..... PI provides high-level, robust, easy-to-use software tools for fast, seamless integration of motion systems into application control software.
- Overview - Controllers & Motion Software
- Capacitive SensorsNanometer Resolution: Capacitance Sensors for Nano-Measuring, Nano-Metrology | PIA capacitive sensor is a proximity sensor that detects nearby objects by their effect on the electrical field created by the sensor.
- Accessories: Plates, Brackets, CablesAdapters and Cables for PI Precision Motion ComponentsStandardization is common with adapter plates and brackets, but we can create a custom accessory to fit your application system. PI products ship with the required cables. Customization is always an option.
- Products: Overview, New, Finder, Shop
- Tech BlogPI Blog / Tech Articles on Advancements in Precision Motion Control, Automation and Piezo Technology | PI USAPI’s tech blog offers 50 years of insight into innovative applications of precision motion control, nanopositioning, and micropositioning in industry, science, and research. We hope the PI blog is an enjoyable and informative resource, and a starting-point for innovation across disciplines.
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- Motion Control SoftwareMotion Control SoftwarePI provides high-level, robust, easy-to-use motion control software tools for fast, seamless integration of motion systems into application control software. Supported programming languages and applications include LabView, C++, VB, Matlab, Image Acquisitioning Packages, NI DAC Cards, ...
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About PI USA: Custom design & service / export controlled applications & ITAR RegisteredPI (Physik Instrumente) provides the broadest and deepest portfolio of precision motion technologies in the world. PI USA complies with the US laws for export controlled technologies.- AboutAbout PI USA / Custom design & service / export controlled applications & ITAR RegisteredPI (Physik Instrumente) provides the broadest and deepest portfolio of precision motion technologies in the world. PI USA complies with the US laws for export controlled technologies.
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PI's ultra fast steering mirror platforms and dither scanners are based on frictionless flexure guides and high-speed solid-state piezoelectric drives. These compact 2-axis scan mirrors integrate pitch and roll motion into one device with a single moving mirror or optic. They are faster than galvo-scanners and voice-coil driven beam steering systems (also available from PI) and can be used in both static and highly dynamic operation (e.g. scanning, tracking, image resolution enhancement, drift and vibration cancellation).
Applications include scanning, precision optical dithering, free-space optical communication (FSO), image stabilization, laser welding, semiconductor test & manufacturing, laser beam steering, astronomy, two photon polymerization, medical applications.
Read Article:Design, Performance, and Tuning of Fast Steering Mirrors based on Piezo Drives and Flexure Guides
Advantages of the PI steerable mirrors are: parallel kinematics design (coplanar multiaxis motion), fast response (sub-millisecond), high resolution (up to nanoradian range), long travel ranges (up to 3 degrees deflection). PI's parallel-kinematics multi-axis steering mirrors use only one platform/mirror for all axes. There is one common pivot point and no polarization rotation, an important feature for many precision optics applications.
Show moreS-303 High Speed Phase Shifter
Direct Metrology Option
- Sub-millisecond dynamics
- <0.1 nanometer resolution
- High-linearity sensor option
- Invar option
- Aperture with open-loop versions
Show moreS-310/14 Z-Actuator – Phase Shifter
With Aperture
- 6/14µm piston motion
- Sub-millisecond dynamics
- Sub-nanometer resolution
- Open loop
- 10mm aperture
Show moreS-224 Fast Steering Mirror
Compact, 4mrad
- Sub-microradian resolution
- Sub-millisecond response
- 4.4mrad optical beam deflection
- Closed-loop option
- Includes BK7 mirror
Show moreS-331 Tip/Tilt Mirror Platform
High Dynamics, for ½” Mirrors
- 10mrad optical deflection
- High dynamics: 0.8msec rise time
- PKM: single pivot point
- Closed-loop for high linearity
- Up to 50nrad resolution
Show moreS-330 Fast Tip/Tilt Steering Mirror
Mirrors up to 50mm
- Fixed orthogonal axes with a common pivot point
- To 20mrad optical beam deflection
- Up to 20nrad resolution
- Closed-loop for high linearity
Show moreS-340 Fast Tip/Tilt Steering Mirror
Mirrors up to 100mm
- Fixed orthogonal axes with a common pivot point
- 4mrad optical beam deflection
- Sub-microrad resolution
- Closed-loop for high linearity
Show moreS-335 Tip/Tilt Mirror Platform
Long Travel, Mirrors up 1”
- 70mrad optical beam deflection
- Up to 100nrad resolution
- Closed-loop for high linearity
- PKM = Equal dynamics for both axes
- ID chip for auto calibrate
Show moreV-931 Fast Steering Mirror Platform
Voice-Coil Driven, Mirrors to 1”
- 140mrad (8°) optical deflection
- <1 µrad resolution
- Closed-loop voice coil drives
- PKM = Equal dynamics for both axes
- 20msec step response
Show moreN-480 Tip/Tilt Mirror Mount
Piezo Motors, 16° Tilt Angle
- Kinematic mount
- High stability PiezoMike motors
- For 0.5", 1" or 2" optics
- 1µrad resolution
- Vacuum versions to 10-9 hPa
Show moreCustom Example - Astronomy
Ultra-Stable, Piezo Mirror Mount
- ±2° tip / tilt range with PiezoWalk motor
- <0.5 arcsec angular resolution
- <1 arcsec position repeatability
- <20 arcsec static position stability
- >110Hz resonant frequency
Show moreCustom Example – Low Profile
Dynamic tip/tilt mirror (ΘXΘY)
- ±100µrad tip/tilt range
- Low profile design
Talk to our engineers about your custom steering mirror project.
Show moreS-325 Tip/Tilt Piston Mirror Platform
For 1” Mirrors
- Tripod design: pitch, roll, piston
- 10mrad optical beam deflection
- 30µm piston (Z-motion)
- Closed-loop for high linearity
- PKM = Equal dynamics for All axes
Show moreS-316 Tip/Tilt/Piston Platform
With 10mm Aperture
- Tripod design: pitch, roll, piston
- 2.4mrad optical beam deflection
- 12µm piston (Z-motion)
- Closed-loop for high linearity
- PKM = Equal dynamics for all axes
Show moreP-612 Piezo-Z Stage
Compact Z Stage, Aperture
- 100µm motion
- Compact: 60x60x27mm
- For cost-sensitive applications
- <1 nanometer resolution
- PICMA® long-life piezo drives
Show moreP-541 Piezo-Z & Z-Tip-Tilt Stages
Low-Profile, 80x80mm Aperture
- 100µm linear travel, 1 mrad tip/tilt
- Lowest profile: 16.5mm
- <1 nanometer resolution
- Choice of feedback sensors
- 80x80mm aperture
Show moreP-528 Piezo Z & Z/Tip/Tilt Stages
Parallel Metrology
- 50, 100, 200µm Z-motion
- Up to 4 milliradian Z/tip/tilt
- Precision trajectory control
- Sub-nanometer resolution
- Parallel capacitive metrology
PI offers a large range of fast steering mirrors (FSM) from compact systems for laser beam steering up to large units used for astronomy.
Single-Axis Tilt Platforms
The most compact approach is based on a flexure guided platform driven by a single actuator. For differentially driven platforms see “Tip/Tilt System with Differential Piezo Drive (Tetrapod) and improved Thermal Stability” below.The platform is supported by one flexure and pushed by one linear piezo actuator. The flexure determines the pivot point and doubles as a preload for the Piezo actuator.
Single flexure, single piezo actuator (PZT) tilt mirror platform design. Advantages are the straightforward construction, compact dimensions and low costs. If thermal angular stability over a large temperature range is a critical issue, a differential piezo actuator drive system is recommended (see below).
Multi-Axis Piezo Steering Mirrors
Multi-axis piezo tip/tilt mirror platforms from PI are based on parallel kinematics with a single moving platform for all directions of motion. The common platform approach achieves higher linearity than can be attained by cascading single-axis mirrors in succession (e.g. with most galvo scanners). The single platform design also avoids polarization rotation and is much more compact than a multi-stage approach.High Dynamics and High Stability
Piezo-actuated tip/tilt mirrors and platforms are suitable both for highly dynamic operation, such as tracking, scanning, image stabilization, elimination of drift and vibration, and for static positioning of optical systems and samples.Direct Drive and Motion Amplified Steering Mirrors
Piezo steering mirrors can provide very fast response times in the sub-millisecond range and resolutions down to nano radians. Direct-driven units achieve higher dynamics, while designs that take advantage of on internal flexure motion amplifiers provide for larger optical beam deflection up to 100 mrad.Tip/Tilt/Piston System - Tripod Piezo Drive
The platform is driven by three piezo actuators that are located in 120° angles to one another. By means of coordinate transformation, the motion can be split among the different actuators. In addition to tilting, the platform may also be used linearly in Z direction (piston motion), useful for phase shifting and correcting optical path length differences.Tip/Tilt System with Differential Piezo Drive (Tetrapod) and improved Thermal Stability
The platform is driven by a total of four piezo actuators - two pairs with the θX and θY tilt axes arranged orthogonally removing the need for coordinate transformation. Each pair is controlled differentially, i.e. one actuator extends while the other one retracts by the same amount. The advantage of this approach is the improved thermal stability over a wider temperature range compared to a simpler, two actuator design. Just as the tripod, the differential version guarantees an optimum angular stability over a large temperature range. For position controlled versions, the differential evaluation of two sensors per axis provides an improved linearity and resolution.Design principle of a differential piezo-actuator (PZT) steering mirror. This construction features two piezo linear actuators (operated in push/pull mode) per axis, supporting the platform. The case can be machined from one solid metal block with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) designed wire EDM (Electric Discharge Machining) cut flexures. The flexures provide for zero friction/stiction and excellent guiding accuracy. The differential design exhibits excellent angular stability over a wide temperature range - temperature changes only affect the vertical position of the platform (piston motion) and have no influence on the angular position. After the operating voltage is removed the platform returns to the center position.
Dynamics of Piezo Tip/Tilt Mirror Mechanisms
The dynamics and maximum operating frequency of a piezo tip/tilt system strongly depends on its mechanical stiffness and resonant frequency. The properties of amplifier, controller and closed-loop position sensor / circuit are also important. To estimate the effective resonant frequency of the system – a combination of platform and mirror – the moment of inertia of the mirror substrate needs to be calculated:m = mirror weight [g]
IM = moment of inertia of a mirror [g × mm²]
L = mirror length orthogonally to tilt axis [mm]
H = mirror thickness [mm]
R = mirror radius [mm]
T = distance of pivot point to platform surface [mm]
The resonant frequency of the system is calculated with resonant frequency of the platform (see technical data) and moment of inertia of the mirror substrate using the following formula:
f' = resonant frequency of platform with mirror [Hz]
f0 = resonant frequency of platform without mirror [Hz]
I0 = moment of inertia of platform (see technical data) [g × mm²]
IM = moment of inertia of mirror [g × mm²]
Hexapods and Fast Steering Mirrors / Active Optics in Astronomical Telescopes
Resolution in large earthbound telescopes is limited by atmospheric turbulence and vibrations. During the last 35 years, PI has designed a number of large-aperture high bandwidth tip/tilt systems for image stabilization. Piezoelectrically driven active secondary mirrors can improve the effective resolution up to 1000% by correcting for these image shifts in real time, especially during long integrations with weak light sources.
Piezo-based solutions are key to precision in the World’s largest telescope, the ELT of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). This artist’s impression shows the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) in its enclosure. The E-ELT will be a 39-metre aperture optical and infrared telescope sited on Cerro Armazones in the Chilean Atacama Desert. PI provides the nanometer-precise actuation of the main mirror segments, as well as other piezo-based, highly customized motion solutions for precision-critical points of operation within the telescope. (Image: ESO/L. Calçada) Read about it: http://www.pi-usa.us/blog/hybrid-ultra-high-precision-positioning-actuators/ This fast tip / tilt platform corrects the image jitter at an M5 telescope mirror. A high bandwidth and extremely high resolution is essential to achieve a high image quality. The image on the left represents a star without tip/tilt correction, the image on the right was obtained with fast tilt correction. (Source: Cornell University, "COATLI: an all-sky robotic optical imager with 0.3 arcsec image quality") View of the 8.2 m Subaru infrared telescope in Hawaii (from SubaruTelescope.org), printed with permission of NAOJ. Active tip/tilt mirror for the Subaru Telescope (Mauna Kea, Hawaii). Mirror diameter: 150 mm. Tip/tilt range: ±600 µrad. Resonant frequency: 610 Hz Active tip/tilt mirror for the United Kingdom infrared telescope (UKIRT) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii with Secondary Hexapod 6-D alignment system. Mirror diameter: 314 mm Tip/tilt range: ±500 µrad Resonant frequency: 280 Hz Active secondary mirror for NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii,with Hexapod 6-D alignment system. Mirror diameter: 244 mm Tip/tilt range: ±250 µrad Resonant frequency: 490 Hz Active tip/tilt mirror system for the Keck Outrigger telescope in Hawaii. The units are controlled by a high-performance digital controller with a fiber optic interface (not shown). Mirror diameter: 250 mm Tip/tilt range: ±150 µrad Resolution: nanoradian range Position measurement: capacitive Active secondary tip/tilt mirror for the 2.2 m ESO (European Southern Observatory) telescope in La Silla, Chile. Mirror diameter: 100 mm Tip/tilt range: ±400 µrad Resonant frequency: 900 Hz Momentum Compensation
Due to the inertia of the large mirrors and the high accelerations required to correct for image fluctuations, significant forces can be induced in the telescope structure, causing unwanted vibrations. PI has developed momentum compensation systems integrated into the tip/tilt platforms which cancel undesirable vibrations and thus offer significantly better stabilization than uncompensated systems.
More Information on PI Precsion Motion Control Products in Astronomy
- PI wins Contract for Ultra-High Precision Positioning Actuators to Align Mirror Segments in the ELT Telescope
- Motorized Stages and S-330 Piezo Tip/Tilt in SOXS ESO Spectrograph Controlled by EtherCat Fieldbus
- P-845 Piezo Actuators / Control modeling of the fast-steering secondary mirror for GMT
- Ultra-Stable Mirror Mounts for LINC-NIRVANA High Resolution Imager
- Resources