Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Surface Metrology Benefits from Longer Travel Nanopositioning Stages

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Abstract:
PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P., a leading manufacturer of nanopositioning and precision motion-control equipment semiconductor and photonics applications, has extended its PIHera® family of flexure-guided piezo nanopositioning stages, now offering record travel ranges to 1.8 mm.

Surface Metrology Benefits from Longer Travel Nanopositioning Stages

Auburn, MA | Posted on February 27th, 2008

New Stages Capture 200X Larger Areas than Conventional Stages

These precision closed-loop flexure-guided stages can be used for scanning probe applications (surface metrology) and static positioning. Due to the long travel ranges they can scan areas more than 200 times larger than conventional piezo stages with typical ranges of 100x100 µm. Most PIHera® stages provide sub-nanometer resolution and even the 1.8 mm versions achieve 3 nm resolution in closed-loop operation. The compact size is achieved with a new, friction-free and extremely stiff flexure system, which also provides fast response and excellent guiding accuracy. Trajectory precision is in the low-nanometer range. High acceleration forces are provided by patented, long-life multilayer piezoelectric linear actuators. The ability to control motion with millisecond responsiveness and nanometer precision over long travel ranges makes PIHera® stages ideal for measuring and QA applications.

Capacitive Feedback Offers Greater Motion Linearity

The stages are equipped with non-contact capacitive-sensors and provide extremely linear motion with up to 99.98% accuracy and effective resolution in the sub-nanometer range. PI capacitive sensors are absolute-measuring, direct-metrology devices that boast very high bandwidth and exhibit no periodic errors.

Typical Applications

Surface Metrology, Quality Assurance, Scanning Probe Microscopy, Nanometrology, Interferometry, Nanopositioning, Nano-Alignment / Semiconductor Technology

Features & Advantages

- No Wear & Tear: Flexures, Actuators and Sensors are Maintenance-Free
- Longer Lifetime with Patented, Ceramic-Encapsulated Piezo Actuators
- X, XY, Z and XYZ Versions Available
- 50 to 1800 µm Travel Ranges, Nanometer Resolution
- Closed-Loop Digital & Analog Control for Up to 99.98 % Position Accuracy
- Vacuum-Compatible Versions
- Stiff and Compact Design for Millisecond Responsiveness
- Frictionless, Maintenance-Free, Precision Flexure Guiding System
- Direct-Metrology Sensors for Faster Servo Response

Flexible Controllers: High Speed, Digital and Analog Control

A variety of ultra-low-noise controllers with both digital and analog input provide fast communications and come with a wide selection of software tools.

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About PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
PI is a leading manufacturer of precision motion-control equipment for photonics, bio-nanotechnology & semiconductor applications. PI has been developing and manufacturing standard & custom precision products with piezoceramic and electromagnetic drives for 35+ years. The company has been ISO 9001 certified since 1994 and provides innovative, high-quality solutions for OEM and research. PI is present worldwide with eight subsidiaries and total staff of 450+.

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Contacts:
USA / Canada:
East: David Rego
Tel: (508) 832-3456
Fax: (508) 832-0506

West David Steinberg
Tel: (949) 679-9191
Fax: (949) 679-9292

Europe:
Germany: +49 (721) 4846-0
Italy: +39 (02) 665 011 01
France: +33 (1) 481 039 30
UK: +44 (1582) 764 334

Asia
Japan: +81 (6) 6304 5605
China +86 (21) 687 900 08

Stefan Vorndran
Dir. Corp. Product Marketing & Communications
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PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
16 Albert St.
Auburn, MA 01501

Tel: 508-832-3456,
Fax: 508-832-0506
www.pi.ws
www.pi-usa.us