PIFOC focus scanners for microscope objectives provide high-precision Z-axis positioning with travel ranges of 100 µm, 400 µm, or 800 µm, using PICMA® piezo actuators and capacitive sensors for sub-nanometer resolution and linearity errors under 0.03%. The devices feature flexure guides with zero play, a 29 mm clear aperture, and a maximum objective diameter of 39 mm, with an overall mass of up to 350 g and a D-sub 7W2 connector. They operate within a temperature range of 10 to 70 °C and achieve settling times of 14 ms, 22 ms, or 39 ms for 10% steps under 150 g load, depending on model. Resonant frequencies range from 230 Hz to 680 Hz unloaded, with up to 100 N push force and 20 N pull force permitted. The scanners are constructed from stainless steel and aluminum and require E-709.1C1L or E-754.1CD controllers.
The patented PICMA® piezo actuators are all-ceramic insulated. This protects them against humidity and failure resulting from an increase in leakage current. PICMA® actuators offer an up to ten times longer lifetime than conventional polymer-insulated actuators. 100 billion cycles without a single failure are proven.
| PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. | |
|---|---|
| Product Category | Microscope Stages |
| Product Number | P-725 |
| Product Name | PIFOC Objective Scanner with Long Travel Range |
| Stage Type | Motorized Stage; Z-Axis Stage |
