Products - PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
Inverted Microscope XY Stage System Democratizes Piezo Motor Benefits with Reduced Cost and Higher Performance
The U-781 motorized microscope XY Stage system for inverted microscopes – an evolution of the U-780 microscope stage – is designed to democratize the benefits of ultrasonic piezo motor drives in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. Equipped with advanced ultrasonic motors and 10nm resolution direct-measuring encoders, the U-781 offers high dynamics, covering a velocity range from 100nm/sec to 120mm/sec, short settling times, and precise movement to target coordinates. Despite its cutting-edge capabilities, the U-781 inverted microscope stage is offered at a competitive price/performance ratio compared to traditional stepper motor-based systems, making it an accessible and powerful solution for advanced microscopy.
Key Features
Its key features include a compact, low-profile design with integrated piezoceramic drives that minimize vibration and heat generation, while making it ultra-stable for long-term imaging applications. With a 128x86 mm travel range and 10 nanometer resolution, the U-781 XY stage is compatible with inverted microscopes from the four leading manufacturers: Nikon, Leica, Olympus, and Zeiss. Ergonomic considerations were prioritized in the U-781's design, including a streamlined cable system and rounded corners for safety.
Benefits of the Piezo Motor Drive and Advanced Controller
The system's performance is enhanced by a patented "Dual Frequency" drive mode that ensures smooth, jerk-free motion and noise reduction, while the "Adaptive Parameter" drive mode automatically adjusts parameters based on the trajectory. The self-locking piezo-ceramic direct-drive design eliminates servo jitter and drift commonly found in conventional electromagnetic systems. This stiff drive enables the wide dynamic velocity range of 6 orders of magnitude. The controller’s advanced digital servo system optimizes dynamic performance, with automatic PID parameter switching to ensure fast settling times of just a few milliseconds.
Software Support
The stage is supported by a comprehensive software suite that includes interfaces for µ-Manager, Nikon NIS Elements, MatLab, LabView, Python, and PI MikroMove, ensuring seamless integration with popular tools. The package also includes a high-performance 2-axis motion controller, joystick, and software support for Windows and Linux.
Accessories
The U-781's compatibility with a wide array of accessories maximizes its versatility. It accommodates various sample holders, including microscope slides, well plates, and Petri dishes, and can be paired with optional Z stages like the P-736 PInano Z or P-545 XYZ piezo flexure nanopositioning stage for applications such as fast focus, single-molecule tracking, or optical trapping.
When combined with the P-545 PInano XYZ nanopositioning sample stage, offering <1nm closed-loop resolution, the inverted microscope stage system excels in super-resolution (SR) microscopy.
Applications
The range of applications of the inverted microscope stage system includes widefield, confocal fluorescence microscopy, multi-photon and deep tissue fluorescence imaging, fluorescence scanning, and SR microscopy.
