The Manual MicroStage is a high precision, low profile, XY stage with integrated position locking for use with all standard inverted optical microscopes or customized for other mounting requirements. Designed specifically as a coarse positioning base for use with high resolution nanopositioners, the Manual MicroStage provides 25mm of travel on each axis combined with micrometers with 1μm vernier graduations for precise adjustments. An internal pre-load force of 10 N built into each axis ensures that the Manual MicroStage is continuously locked securely in position and is able to resist forces transmitted by high speed nanopositioners mounted to the top surface of the stage. Standard microscope stages, without position locking, often drift out of position as a result of acceleration forces produced by a nanopositioning stage as it moves through a scanning sequence. Elimination of drift is critical to proper sample imaging and raster scan alignment. An optional breadboard assembly with threaded mounting holes (1/4-20 on a 1 inch pattern or M6 on a 25mm pattern) is available to provide a convenient mounting surface for probes or other experimental assemblies. Standard Manual MicroStages are offered for the following inverted microscopes: Olympus IX/IX2 Series, Nikon TE2000/Ti Series, Leica DMI Series, and Zeiss Axiovert/Axio Observer Series. Manual MicroStages designed to fit other setups, including direct mounting to optical tables, may also be requested.
For extended XY motion (to 50mm) combined with a design that allows microscope objective nosepiece rotation, see the Manual MicroStage-LT Series. For Olympus upright BX microscopes, see the Manual MicroStage-BX, which is also compatible with Mad City Labs nanopositioning systems. |