AUBURN, Mass., March 30, 2007 -- PI (Physik Instrumente) LP, a maker of nanopositioning and piezo-based precision motion-control equipment for biotechnology, nanotechnology, photonics and semiconductor applications, is offering an ultrahigh-resolution positioning and scanning system, the minute P-363 PicoCube. Together with an ultralow-noise E-536 driver/controller, its provides significantly higher resolution and positional stability than previous multi-axis scanning stages, PI said.

Features

• High-speed XYZ scanner for atomic force/scanning probe microscopy (AFM/SPM) and manipulation tool for nanotechnology.
• Custom, high-stiffness shear piezo drives provide up to 10-kHz resonant frequency for faster response and higher scanning performance.
• Ultralow-Noise controller enables 25 picometers (0.025 nm) resolution
• Capacitive feedback for exceptional precision and linearity
• Parallel metrology for better multi-axis accuracy
• Small and rugged design with titanium case
• Vacuum-compatible

PI said PicoCube systems overcome the limitations of open-loop piezo-tube-based scanners, which provide high-resolution motion but poor linearity and trajectory guidance. The compact PicoCube is based on exceptionally robust, high-stiffness piezo drives, rather than tubes, and employs non-contact, direct-measuring, parallel-metrology capacitive sensors for position feedback. The low-inertia drives allow for a resonant frequency of 10 kHz, important for high-speed scanning applications.

Parallel metrology can “see” all controlled degrees of freedom simultaneously and compensate for off-axis motion in real time. The benefits are a reduction of runout and off-axis errors, straighter multi-axis motion and improved repeatability, PI said.

The E-536 closed-loop controller provides unprecedented positional stability and can be controlled with analog or digital signals, the company said. Extensive software support, including LabView drivers, is provided.

For more information, visit: www.pi-usa.us; e-mail: info@pi-usa.us

PI (Physik Instrumente) LP
16 Albert St.
Auburn, MA 01501
Phone: (508) 832-3456
Fax: (508) 832-0506

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