Posted to News on 19th Apr 2012, 12:20
New microscope precision positioning systems catalogue
Piezo positioning systems supplier PI (Physik Instrumente) is releasing a new catalogue on precision motion control products for microscopy. The new catalogue covers a variety of novel positioning stages and scanning systems for specimen as well as microscope objectives and the technology behind the products. Ultrasonic-ceramic motor drives with self-clamping properties, for example, provide better stability in long-term imaging applications than conventional motor-driven stages.
These motors are employed in low-profile, XY long travel microscope stages. If higher resolution is needed, the long-range positioners can be supplemented with XYZ piezo-flexure positioning stages capable of sub-nanometer resolution. This type of precision together with responsiveness on a millisecond scale is what biophysicists need to advance the field of cell biology with single molecule microscopy techniques.
Digitally controlled piezo objective-lens positioning systems with autofocus capabilities provide more rapid step and settle compared with conventional analogue control. This results in faster Z-stack image acquisition and higher 3D imaging quality. High speed piezo steering mirrors scan laser beams in two coplanar axes, avoiding polarisation rotation errors induced by stacked single axis mirrors as is the case with galvo scanners.
The precision positioning systems covered in the new catalogue are often used in Super Resolution Microscopy (SRM) techniques such as these:
- STORM: Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy
- PALM: Photoactivated Localisation Microscopy
- STED: Stimulated Emission Depletion
- SIM: Structured Illumination Microscope
The catalogue of precision motion control products for microscopy can be downloaded at www.MicroscopeStage.net/Microscope_Positioning_Systems.htm (pdf. 1.54MB).
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