Newport MKS Picomotor Piezo Mirror Mount, Center, 4.0 in. Diameter, 2-Axis 8824-AC

The 8824-AC provides the precision and stability of the Picomotor actuator utilizing the ULTIMA® Kinematic Optical Mount. It provides smooth, reliable motorized adjustment along with carbide pads, thick front and rear plates and optimized, stiff springs to improve the long-term stability and provide greater protection against vibrations. Spring-loaded pawls gently, but securely, hold a high precision 4 inch (101.6 mm) diameter optic from the back against three points on the front plate of the mount. Wavefront distortion in the optic is minimized because the forces acting on the optic are axial, instead of radial and are more distributed. For applications requiring secure mounting, the pawls can be tightened further, compressing the springs, and clamping the optic between the three points on the front plate and the pawls. Convenient clearance mounting holes on each of two sides are compatible with either 8-32 or M4 screws providing quicker, more precise, and more secure mounting. Center Mount Design Center mount versions minimize mount-induced wavefront distortions through an innovative, low-distortional axial clamping technique. ULTIMA Center Mount Picomotor Optical Mounts are available for mounting 2-, 3- and 4-in. mirrors. Easy-to-Use, Flexible Picomotor Controllers Our Open-Loop Picomotor controllers and drivers are modular. You can daisy-chain up to 31 drivers together with four channels each, so you can have a network of up to 124 standard Picomotor actuators. You have two interface options with the controller system: hand pad or computer, both providing plug-and-play use. Alternatively, you may choose to use our TTL/Analog Picomotor driver. How the Picomotor Design Works Picomotor actuators rely on the basic difference between dynamic and static friction. An example of this is the magician's "tablecloth trick," in which a quick pull (low dynamic friction) of the cloth leaves the dishes on the table, while a slow pull (high static friction) would pull the dishes off the table and cause a big mess! Our Picomotor actuator uses the same principle with a threaded jaw, similar to two halves of a split nut, clamped around a precision 80-pitch screw. One jaw is connected to one end of a piezoelectric transducer, and the other jaw is connected to the other end of the transducer. A slow electrical signal applied to the piezo slowly changes the length, causing the two jaws to slide in opposite directions. This slow sliding motion makes the screw turn (static friction). At the end of the transducer motion, a fast electrical signal quickly returns the jaws to their starting positions. Because of the screw’s inertia and low dynamic friction, it remains motionless, holding its position. Simply reversing the order of the fast and slow signals reverses the direction of rotation. 0.7 µrad Angular Resolution Our Picomotor actuators allow for an angular resolution of 0.7 µrad, allowing for very small, controlled movements of your optics. The Picomotor actuator offers the additional advantage of using the integrated knobs for quick, manual adjustment of all axes. Set-and-Forget Long-Term Stability The Picomotor actuator moves when voltage is applied to the piezo, changing its length and in turn moving the jaws which turn the screw. When no power is applied, the actuator does not move. You can feel confident that your mount will stay put, even when you power down your system. Smooth and Reliable Motorized Adjustment With the thick front and rear plates, carbide seats, and optimized stiff springs, Picomotor large aperture mounts provides for smooth, reliable motorized adjustment while maintaining a high level of thermal and mechanical stability.