ZOLIX LS25x.Lab.R Closed-Loop Piezoelectric Linear Translation Stage

Overview

The ZOLIX LS25x.Lab.R is a compact, high-precision closed-loop piezoelectric linear translation stage engineered for demanding optical alignment, interferometry, nanophotonics, and quantum optics applications where sub-15 nm step resolution, minimal mechanical drift, and ultra-low acoustic emission are critical. Unlike traditional stepper or servo-driven stages, the LS25x.Lab.R employs a piezoelectric inertial (stick-slip) actuation principle—enabling direct nano-positioning without gear reduction or lead screws. This architecture eliminates backlash, hysteresis-induced positional uncertainty, and electromagnetic interference common in electromagnetic actuators. The integrated resistive position sensor (.R variant) provides real-time feedback across the full 8 mm travel range, ensuring repeatable positioning accuracy within ±150 nm and long-term stability under ambient lab conditions. Its monolithic stainless steel construction (with optional titanium for non-magnetic environments or vacuum-grade stainless for HV/UHV operation) ensures thermal and mechanical robustness while maintaining a footprint of only 25 mm × 25 mm × 8 mm—making it ideal for space-constrained optical breadboards, confocal microscope stages, and multi-axis kinematic assemblies.

Key Features

• Compact form factor (25 × 25 × 8 mm) optimized for dense optical layouts without compromising mechanical stiffness or dynamic performance.
• Closed-loop control via integrated resistive position sensor with 8 mm full-scale range and ~150 nm resolution—enabling traceable, repeatable positioning compliant with ISO 230-2 motion accuracy standards.
• Sub-15 nm minimum step size achievable under open-loop fine-tuning mode; closed-loop operation delivers consistent repeatability better than ±50 nm over 10⁴ cycles.
• 20 kHz maximum drive frequency enables silent, vibration-free motion—critical for low-noise interferometric measurements and single-photon detection setups.
• Horizontal push force of 2 N and holding force of 5 N support passive load stabilization during power-off states, meeting typical requirements for mirror mounts and fiber couplers.
• Low angular deviation: pitch ≤ 0.3 mrad and yaw ≤ 0.2 mrad over full stroke—essential for collimated beam steering and wavefront-sensitive applications.
• Modular compatibility: standardized mounting interfaces allow seamless integration with ZOLIX rotary stages, goniometers, and tip/tilt platforms using industry-standard stacking adapters.
• Vacuum-ready variants available: .NM (non-magnetic titanium body), .HV (bakeable to 150 °C), and .UHV (all-metal seals, <10⁻¹⁰ mbar base pressure compatible).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LS25x.Lab.R is designed for use with standard optical components including mirrors (up to Ø25.4 mm), lens mounts, fiber positioners, and photonic integrated circuit (PIC) alignment fixtures. Its resistive sensor output is analog (0–10 V) and fully compatible with third-party motion controllers supporting analog feedback input per IEC 61800-3 EMC guidelines. For regulated environments, the stage supports audit-ready operation when paired with ZOLIX’s GLP-compliant controller firmware (v3.2+), which logs timestamped position data with system-level error flags and maintains 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic records when used with validated PC software. Mechanical design conforms to ISO 10110-7 surface flatness tolerances for optical mounting surfaces and meets RoHS 3 and REACH SVHC criteria for material safety.

Software & Data Management

ZOLIX provides native drivers for Windows/Linux (x64) supporting LabVIEW™, MATLAB® Instrument Control Toolbox, Python (PyVISA), and C/C++ SDKs. Real-time position streaming at up to 1 kHz sampling rate enables synchronization with external triggers (TTL input/output). Data logging includes absolute position, sensor voltage, drive waveform status, and thermal compensation flags (when used with optional temperature sensor module). All controller firmware updates are digitally signed and version-controlled; configuration files include checksum verification to ensure integrity in multi-user lab deployments. Export formats include CSV, HDF5, and XML—facilitating integration into LIMS or ELN systems per ASTM E2500-22 data provenance requirements.

Applications

• Precision alignment of laser cavities, cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) mirrors, and external-cavity diode lasers (ECDLs).
• Nanopositioning in scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) auxiliary sample stages.
• Active stabilization of interferometer arms in gravitational wave detector prototypes and metrology testbeds.
• Multi-degree-of-freedom beam steering arrays for free-space optical interconnects and quantum memory interface systems.
• In-situ adjustment of fiber collimators and photonic chip coupling stages under vacuum or magnetic shielding enclosures.
• Calibration reference stage for displacement metrology labs performing ISO/IEC 17025-accredited verification of laser interferometers and capacitive sensors.

FAQ

What is the difference between the .R, .NM, .HV, and .UHV variants?
The .R suffix denotes closed-loop operation with integrated resistive position sensing. .NM uses pure titanium construction for zero magnetic susceptibility (<1.05 µr), essential for MRI-adjacent optics or electron beam experiments. .HV and .UHV variants feature vacuum-compatible materials, surface treatments, and feedthroughs rated for 10⁻⁷ mbar and 10⁻¹⁰ mbar base pressures respectively.
Can the LS25x.Lab.R be operated in continuous scanning mode?
Yes—its 20 mm/s max speed and 20 kHz drive capability support smooth sawtooth or sinusoidal scanning profiles. However, continuous motion above 5 mm/s requires active thermal management due to piezoelectric heating; ZOLIX recommends duty-cycle limits per IEC 60068-2-14 for sustained operation.
Is position data traceable to national standards?
While the resistive sensor itself is factory-calibrated against NIST-traceable length standards, full traceability requires end-user calibration using an external interferometer or capacitive gauge per ISO 10360-2. Calibration certificates are available upon request.
Does the stage support OEM integration into custom motion systems?
Yes—ZOLIX provides mechanical drawings (STEP/IGES), electrical interface schematics (D-Sub 9 pinout), and protocol documentation for custom controller development. OEM volume orders qualify for extended warranty and firmware white-labeling.