High speed Z-stack image acquisition is the basis for the generation of 3D views of bio-samples in high-resolution, optical microscopes.
PI (Physik Instrumente), a manufacturer of nanopositioning and precision motion-control equipment for photonics, semiconductor and life science applications, introduces a new affordable nanopositioning controller for high-speed Z-stack image acquisition.
Z-stack image acquisition: how it works.
High speed Z-stack image acquisition is the basis for the generation of 3D views of bio-samples in high-resolution, optical microscopes.
Conventional Z-drives use a motorized actuator and motor controller to create numerous focus planes during focusing.
The individual 'slices' are then processed with special software to form one 3D image.
Faster with piezo.
Piezo controllers, together with piezo-actuated Z-stack drives, achieve significantly higher speed (typically 10msec vs 100msec) and resolution (typically 1nm vs 100 nm) than motor-drives/controllers and thus provide higher-quality images in less time.
E-625: affordable speed and precision: focused in 10msec.
The new E-625 nanopositioning controller was specifically designed to drive the Pifoc family of piezoelectric Z-stack nanofocusing drives from PI.
It can provide better than 1nm resolution and achieve very short response and settling times on the order of only 10msec.
The controller also boasts both a high-bandwidth analogue interface and a 20-bit digital interface for maximum flexibility.
It integrates a low-noise piezo power amplifier, a high-speed servo controller and sensor electronics for absolute-measuring nanopositioning sensors.
Other application examples of the E-625 controller.
Nanopositioning, scanning and alignment tasks in microscopy, biotechnology, optics, semiconductor technology and photonic packaging.
Features and advantages.
Ideal for high-speed piezo-actuated z-stack image acquisition drives.
Fast: 10ms response / settling time.
Flexible and cost-effective: powerful software, three different sensor types, 1 to 4 channel combinations.
Integrated analogue and 20-bit high-speed interfaces.
Integrated low-noise amplifier / servo controller.
For capacitive, LVDT and strain gauge position sensors.
