Kinematic Mirror Mounts with Piezoelectric Adjusters

• Compatible with Ø1/2" or Ø1" Mirrors
• Piezo Inertia Motor Design Provides High Piezoelectric Angular Range and High-Resolution Adjustment
• Actuators Maintain Position When No Power is Supplied
• Smooth Bore with Nylon-Tipped Setscrew for Mounting Optics
• Built-In SMC Cables for Control via a KIM001 or KIM101 Controller (Sold Separately)
• 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes for Post Mounting

The PIM05(/M) and PIM1(/M) mirror mounts feature two adjusters with integrated piezoelectric inertia actuators. These actuators provide high-resolution motion control with long piezo-controlled travel ranges in a compact package. The mounts have a ±2° angular range, which can be achieved by any combination of piezoelectric and manual adjustment. The piezo motor achieves a typical step size of 0.5 µrad, but due to the open loop design, piezo hysteresis, variance among components, and variation in application conditions, the step size may vary by 20%.

The actuators are self-locking when at rest and when there is no power supplied to the piezo, making these actuators ideal for set-and-hold applications that require sub-microradian resolution and long-term alignment stability. Manual adjustments can be made at any time, as long as the piezo is not actively translating the screw. The PIM05(/M) adjusters feature a 5/64" hex and two Ø0.09" side through holes and can be manually adjusted with the use of an HKTS-5/64 hex key thumbscrew, SA1 side hole adjustment tool, or 5/64" hex key or balldriver. The PIM1(/M) adjusters feature an adjustment knob with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex on the end.

These mounts are designed to be driven by our K-Cube™ Piezo Inertia Actuator Controllers (sold separately). Two options are available: the KIM001 single-channel controller and the KIM101 four-channel controller. Piezo drive cables with SMC female connectors for each axis are attached to the mount. The adjusters and drive cables are labeled with their respective channel numbers.

The PIM05(/M) is designed for Ø1/2" optics, while the PIM1(/M) holds Ø1" optics. Each mount has a nylon tipped setscrew with a 5/64" (2 mm) hex for securing an optic that is at least 3 mm thick. Three 8-32 (M4) tapped holes on each side of the mounts allow for post mounting in a right-handed or left-handed orientation.

Click to Enlarge
Simplified Illustration Showing the Operation of an Inertia Piezo Actuator

Piezoelectric Inertia "Slip-Stick" Motor

A piezo stack mounted perpendicular to the lead screw axis actuates the screw via a design based on the system's inertia and coefficients of friction. Two decoupled arms, or jaws, are located on either side of the piezo. These arms then extend around the top and bottom of the main lead screw. This is illustrated in the diagram to the right.

The piezo reacts to a custom sawtooth voltage waveform, causing it to expand or contract. The waveform is asymmetric, slowly ramping up to the specified voltage and then quickly dropping the voltage to zero on a nanosecond timescale. As shown in the bottom illustration in the image to the right, the jaws will "stick" to the lead screw during the slow voltage ramp, similar to how a person would turn a screw with their thumb and forefinger. The nanosecond voltage drop will cause the arms to "slip" due to the screws' inertia and the different coefficients of friction, and return the arms to their original position. The "slip-stick" nature of this device uses very short pulse widths and continuous stepping of the actuator will result in an audible noise at a typical level of 60 to 70 dB. This mechanism allows a single piezo element to translate a lead screw along its entire length.

Due to a number of factors that include the application condition, piezo hysteresis, component variance, and the axial load, the achieved step size will vary and is not repeatable. To help overcome this variance, an external feedback system will need to be used. Alternatively, a stepper motor actuator can also be substituted depending on the application.

See our individual piezoelectric inertia actuators here.

• Compatible with Ø1" Mirrors
• Available with Smooth or SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Central Bore
• Through Holes for Integration with a 30 mm Cage System
• SMB Connectors Accept Control Voltages up to 150 V
• Three PAA236R SMB-to-BNC Cables Included
• Mount Fabricated from Black Anodized Aluminum
• 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes for Post Mounting

These mirror mounts, based on our KC1 mirror mounts, have three axes that can be adjusted manually or by using the integrated piezo. The KC1-P(/M) smooth bore mount secures the mirror with a nylon-tipped setscrew with a 5/64" hex and accepts optics at least 5.8 mm thick. The KC1T-P(/M) SM1-threaded mount secures the optic with two included SM1RR retaining rings, and accepts optics up to 3.0 mm thick.

The three 100 TPI manual adjusters come with lock nuts that can be tightened by hand or with a 12 mm thin-head, open-ended hex wrench. Each actuator can be connected to a compatible controller using one of the three included 3' SMB-to-BNC cables. We recommend driving the piezo actuators with our benchtop or Kinesis K-Cube™ piezo controllers (sold separately).

These mounts are 30 mm cage system compatible; the cage rods can be locked into place using the 5/64" (2 mm) hex locking screws. They are also post mountable using one of the 8-32 (M4) mounting taps located on three sides of the mount.

• Compatible with Ø1" (Ø25.4 mm) Mirrors
• Available with Smooth or SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Central Bore
• Through Holes for Integration with a 30 mm Cage System
• Built-In BNC Cables Accept Control Voltages up to 150 V
• Mount Fabricated from Black Anodized Aluminum
• Available with Bundled Controller (See Below)
• 8-32 (M4) Tapped Holes for Post Mounting

These mirror mounts, based upon our KC1 mirror mounts, have three axes that can be adjusted manually or by using the integrated piezo. The smooth bore version [Item # KC1-PZ(/M)] secures the mirror with a nylon-tipped 8-32 (M4) setscrew and accepts mirrors at least 5.8 mm thick, while the SM1-threaded version [Item # KC1-T-PZ(/M)] secures the mirror with two included SM1RR Retaining Rings and accepts mirrors up to 3.0 mm thick.

The 1/4"-80 manual adjusters can be locked in place using the 8-32 set screws located on the adjuster. Each piezo adjuster is connected to a built-in 3' cable with a male BNC connector, and the maximum control voltage is 150 V. These mounts are also sold bundled with the MDT693B Three-Channel Piezo Controller, providing all the components needed for open-loop control of the mount (see below for details). 

These mounts are 30 mm cage system compatible; the cage rods can be locked into place using the 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex locking screws. They are also post mountable using one of the three 8-32 (M4) mounting taps.

Click for Details
Front Panel of Controller

• Includes One KC1-PZ(/M) or KC1-T-PZ(/M) Mirror Mount (Shown Above)
• Bundled MDT693B Controller Includes:
  • Three Output Channels with BNC Connectors and Output Voltage up to 150 V
  • Controlled Directly by Front Panel or Remotely Through BNC or Command Line
  • Ability to Drive All Channels with One Signal

These bundles provide all the components and cables needed for open-loop control of a three-axis kinematic mirror mount with piezo adjusters. They consist of our MDT693B Three-Channel Piezo Controller, a KC1-PZ(/M) or KC1-T-PZ(/M) mirror mount (see above for details on the mirror mount options), and a region-specific power cord selected at the time of the order.

The MDT693B piezo controller features three precise, low-noise, independently controllable output channels and is capable of supporting the piezo mirror mounts' maximum control voltage of 150 V. The control voltage can be modified using rotary knobs on the front panel and by providing an external signal through BNC or USB 2.0. The driver also includes a Master Scan mode that allows all three axes to be controlled by one signal. For more information, please see the full MDT693B presentation.

Key Controller Specifications
Item #	Infoa	Number of Channels	Output Voltageb	Output Voltage Resolution	Bandwidth (-3 dB)	Connectors
MDT693B		3	0 - 75 V	1.1 mV	9 kHz (No Load, Small Signal) 8.5 kHz (No Load, 150 Vpp)c 200 Hz (1.4 µF Piezo, 150 Vpp)c	BNC (Three BNC-to-SMC Adapters Included)
			0 - 100 V	1.5 mV
			0 - 150 V	2.2 mV

• Click the icon for complete specifications.
• Selected by Switch on Rear
• Assume a ramp function is used. The bandwidth depends upon the load and requires a calculation for a more representative number.

• Strain Gauge Feedback Sensors for Closed-Loop Operation
• Designed for Use with Included Controller
• True Gimbal Rotation Maintains Stationary Center Point of a Mounted Optic
• High Angular Range: 30 mrad (Open Loop) or 20 mrad (Closed Loop)
• SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Optic Bore for Ø1" Optics
• Through Holes for Integration with a 30 mm Cage System

The PGM1SE(/M) Piezoelectric Gimbal Mirror Mount has two axes that each rotate the mounted optic about a gimbal axis, keeping the center of the optic in a fixed position. Each axis is capable of scanning over a high piezoelectric angular range of 30 mrad with a resolution of 0.05 µrad in open-loop mode (20 mrad angular range and 0.14 µrad resolution in closed-loop mode).

A Ø1" optic can be mounted in the SM1-threaded optic bore and secured with the included SM1 retaining ring. The mount can hold optics between 2 mm and 7.5 mm thick; the optic is installed via the back of the mount, which keeps the optic surface coincident with the gimbal axes, regardless of the optic thickness. We do not recommend mounting an SM1 lens tube to the threading as it will apply excessive torque to the gimbal element.

Six 8-32 (M4) tapped holes on the optic mount allow it to be mounted on a Ø1/2" post. Additionally, four 4-40 tapped holes around the optic bore on both sides of the mount provide compatibility with 30 mm cage systems.

The mount is shipped with a piezo controller that has been factory calibrated to the specific mount and supplies a voltage of -25 to +150 VDC. Piezo control is supported through the included Kinesis^® GUI, either locally using the paired controller or by using an externally supplied control voltage. The controller offers USB and RS-232 interfaces for computer control, a BNC input for the addition of external drive signals, and a BNC output that gives either positioning feedback from the mount’s built-in capacitive sensors or a signal proportional to the piezo drive voltage. In addition, a DB15 connector provides signals that can be used for synchronization with external equipment. A USB 2.0 (A to B) cable is included.

For more information on the piezoelectric gimbal mount, please see the full web presentation.

• Compatible with Ø1/2", Ø1", or Ø2" Mirrors
• Manual and Piezo Adjusters in Series
• SMB Connectors Accept Control Voltages up to 150 V
• Passivated Stainless Steel Surface Ideal for Vacuum and High-Power Laser Cavity Applications
• SMB-to-BNC Cables Included
• Custom Mount Configurations are Available by Contacting Tech Support
• #8 (M4) Counterbore for Post Mounting
• Compatible with All Thorlabs Piezo Controllers (Sold Separately)

The Polaris Kinematic Mirror Mounts with Piezoelectric Adjusters are designed to provide long-term alignment stability in closed-loop systems. They offer exceptional angular resolution of ~0.5 µrad for the Ø1/2" and Ø1" mounts and ~0.18 µrad for the Ø2" mount for a 0.1 V step via piezoelectric adjustment. We recommend driving the piezo actuators using our benchtop or Kinesis K-Cube™ piezo controllers (sold separately).

The Polaris integrated matched adjuster/body design results in greater durability and thermal performance compared to non-Polaris mirror mounts. A flexure spring and setscrew combination or monolithic flexure arm provides temperature-independent retention of the optic, unlike nylon-tipped setscrews that are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The setscrew that adjusts the flexure spring accepts a 1/16" (1.5 mm) hex key for the Ø1/2" mirror mount, or a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key for the Ø1" and Ø2" mirror mounts. We strongly recommend using a torque driver for securing the optic to prevent optical surface distortion and to improve thermal stability.

The mirror mounts come with two or three adjuster lock nuts that can be tightened by hand or with an 11 mm thin-head (for the Ø1/2" mount) or 12 mm thin-head (for the Ø1" and Ø2" mounts), open-ended hex wrench. Lock nuts only need to be lightly tightened to a torque of approximately 4 to 8 oz-in (0.03 to 0.06 N·m). These lock nuts hold in place the manual adjustment and will not affect the fine piezoelectric adjustment of this mount. Post mounting is provided by #8 (M4) counterbores for right- or left-handed mounting. Select mounts also include Ø2 mm alignment pin holes around the mounting counterbore, allowing for precision alignments when paired with our posts for Polaris mirror mounts.

For more details, see the Polaris Kinematic Mirror Mounts with Piezoelectric Adjusters page.