Fiber-Optic Products

Three Axis Flexure Stages

Nanoblock Three-Axis
Flexure Stages

The NanoBlockTM is versatile, three-axis nanopositioning stage. The top-mounting platform can be adjusted along three translational axes(x-y-z) with respect to the base. The NanoBock is available with piezoelectric actuators with active linearization and positional control. These actuators have highly sensitive linear displacement transducers, and, because any variations in length caused by local fluctuations or environmental changes are automatically corrected, there is no hysteresis or creep. The piezoelectric and nanometers, and the linearity of the motion is better than ±0.5%.
The model 17 ANC 001/MD is fitted with piezoelectric actuators with active position feedback and provides 20зн of travel with a resolution of 5mm along each axis. The model 17 ANC 003/MD is fitted with standard piezoelectric actuators and has a range of 20зн with a resolution of 20 nm. The actuators require a voltage from 0 to 75Vdc, and each stage comes with a set of three 1-m-long detachable cables with SMC connectors. To operate the piezoelectrics with active position feedback, the user should select either a 17 PCZ series controller or the 17 MPZ 001 modular piezo controller. To operate the standard piezoelectrics, choose a 17 PCS 011 piezoelectric driver, a 17PCC 001 piezo drive card, or one of the 17 PCW range of controllers.
NanoBalocks feature UltraMikeTM precision differential micrometers, which have graduated scales and position-locking thumbscrews. They provide 4 mm of fine position adjustment and 300зн of ultrafine adjustment with 50-nm resolution along each axis.
NanoBlock can be mounted directly onto optical tables, bread-boards, or other surfaces with a 25 mm/1 inch or 50 mm/2 inch hole pattern. Three slotted clearance holes located in the base plate accommodate either M6 or 1/4-20UNC screws.

Mounting component holders

Component holders and other accessories are held on the top-mounting platform of the NanoBlock by a miniature tongue-and-slot system and are retained with cleats and capscrews. This simple but versatile system is very easy to use. An extensive range of component holders is available. The system is designed with the nominal platform height of the NanoBlock at 112.5 mm and the optical axis height for the components and accessories at 125 mm.
The top-mounting platform can be positioned with the locating slot as supplied or rotated in its plane through 90 degrees. By rotating the use can arrange two NanoBlocks with respect to one another(or to other positioners), locating the x-y-z drives to give the most convenient access. There is no need to specify right-or left-handed NanoBlocks. Each positioner is supplied with a set of cleats, capscrews, and an Allen key.
The high-performance specifications of the NanoBlock make it compatible with rapid piezoelectric driver alignment and optimization using the Melles Griot NanoTrakTM autoalignment system described.

Specifications : NanoBlockTM THREE-AXIS FLEXURE STAGES

. Construction :
     Aluminum and steel athermalized design with black finish
. Weight : 2800g(6.21 lbs)
. Load Capacity : 2000g(4.4 lbs)
. Piezoelectric Pushing Force : 250N maximum
. Travel:
     Fine thread : 4mm
     Differential : 300зн
     Piezo actuator : 20зн
. Resolution (setting sensitivity):
     Fine thread : 1зн
     Differential : 50nm
     Piezo actuator : 20nm
     Piezo actuator with feedback : 5nm

NanoBlockTM Three-Axis Flexure Stages

17 ANC 001/MD NanoBlockTM three-axis flexure stage

Brackets and platforms

Ultrastable fiber-launching system.
A NanoBlockTM is configured to launch a laser
beam into a fiber core only a few micrometers
in diameter with unmatched long-term stability