Precision Optical Alignment
High-resolution tip-tilt stages precisely adjust the angular position of mirrors, lenses, fibers, sensors, and laser beams for beam steering, optical alignment, image stabilization, and drift or vibration compensation.
High resolution tip-tilt stages are used in optical applications to precisely adjust the angular position of mirrors, lenses, fibers, sensors, and laser beams. By providing fine rotation around two axes, they enable accurate beam steering, optical alignment, image stabilization, and compensation for drift or vibration.
In photonics, microscopy, interferometry, laser processing, and free-space optical communication, highly accurate tip-tilt motion helps maintain optimal beam position and coupling efficiency. High-resolution tip-tilt stages are especially useful where small angular errors can reduce signal quality, measurement accuracy, or optical throughput. They support fast, repeatable alignment in research systems, aerospace applications, and automated industrial optical setups.
This highly dynamic laser steering mirror mount provides precise motion in two orthogonal axes. A compact 2-axis bench-top and OEM controller is also available, model C-413.
This unique Z-tip-tilt stage with air bearing guides and ironless, 3-phase linear motors combines high resolution, speed and load capacity in a very low profile unit. The 3-axis stage can also be combined with the A-361 X-Y-Theta Air Bearing Stage to form a very compact 6-axis unit for 6-DOF alignment tasks in optics, photonics, medical engineering and other mechatronics applications.
These high precision, compact tip/tilt kinematic mounts are designed for optics and mirrors. They feature very high resolution and superior stability. Spring preloading eliminates backlash. The piezo-motor ratchet drives allow ultra-high-resolution angular motion and are self-locking on power off.
Stackable goniometer stages preserve a common pivot point and provide precise angular positioning for optics, probes, samples, and alignment fixtures.
This high-force multi-axis stage is based on PI's patented NEXLINE® self-locking piezo motor drives. NEXLINE® technology combines piezo-class precision with the long travel ranges of linear motor technology.
PDF Brochure | Piezo Tip/Tilt Stage for Piezo Wafer Positioning
6-axis parallel kinematics with integrated NEXLINE® high-load piezo motor actuators are suitable for applications in strong magnetic fields.
More Information on 6-Axis Motion and Positioning Platforms / Hexapods | PDF Brochure
This multi-axis piezo nanopositioning stage uses a parallel-kinematic design where all piezo flexure drives act on the same moving platform. Sophisticated digital control algorithms make highly precise coordinated motion possible in all degrees of freedom.
The S-340 tip/tilt piezo platform allows precision rotation in two orthogonal axes with a fixed pivot point. The parallel-kinematic differential drive enables outstanding angular stability over a wide temperature range.
PDF Brochure | S-340 Tip/Tilt Platform Datasheet / Order Info
The S-331 tip/tilt piezo-driven platform is designed for large angles and highest dynamics.
Piezo phase shifters are based on a piezo tripod drive. The stiff and compact design provides sub-millisecond response times and sub-nanometer resolution. Piston movement is up to 15 micrometers. Open- and closed-loop versions are available.
These miniature piezo tilt mirrors provide optical beam deflection to 4.4 mrad, nanoradian-level resolution and sub-millisecond response times.
P-518, P-528 and P-558 are open-frame piezo-driven Z/tip/tilt stages. The large clear aperture enables transmitted-light applications. Integrated piezo drives provide high dynamics and resolution.
PDF Brochure | Piezo Tip/Tilt Platform Datasheet / Order Info
P-541 Piezo-Z stages and Z/tip/tilt stages are optimized for light microscopy, nano-focus and metrology applications. The extremely low profile and large aperture allow easy integration.
These compact Z-positioners and Z-tip/tilt platforms are based on a parallel-kinematic piezo tripod design. They provide piston movement to 12 microns, tilt angles to 1.2 mrad and sub-millisecond response times.
PDF Brochure | Piezo Phase Shifter Z/Tip/Tilt Platform Datasheet, Order Info
This miniaturized tip/tilt mirror positioner/scanner provides a very large tilt angle for a piezo-flexure type two-axis mirror platform. Its high resonant frequency provides the basis for very high dynamics.
These piezo tip/tilt mirror platforms provide tilt ranges to 10 mrad and optical deflection to 20 mrad. The parallel-kinematics, differential direct-drive system provides fast response, excellent stability, and compact optical integration.
PDF Brochure | Piezo Tip/Tilt Platform Datasheet, Order Info
With a platform diameter of only 10 cm, the M-810 Hexapod is a compact parallel-kinematics micropositioning system for positioning all six axes with high speed and accuracy.
Rotation stages, tip-tilt stages, and goniometers all provide angular motion, but they are designed for different applications and rotate around different pivot points. Selecting the correct angular positioning system depends on the required range of motion, accuracy, load capacity, and the location of the desired center of rotation.
A rotation stage provides motion around a central axis perpendicular to the stage surface. These stages are commonly used when a sample, optic, wafer, or component must rotate through large angles or continuously through 360 degrees. Direct-drive and bearing-based rotary stages are frequently used in semiconductor manufacturing, metrology, and photonics applications.
Tip-tilt stages rotate around two orthogonal axes and are primarily used to adjust the angular orientation of mirrors, lenses, sensors, and optical assemblies. High-resolution piezo tip-tilt platforms and fast steering mirrors can provide nanoradian resolution and sub-millisecond response times for beam steering, adaptive optics, and laser stabilization applications.
A goniometer provides angular motion around a virtual pivot point located above or below the stage surface. Unlike a rotation stage, the center of rotation is offset from the platform, making goniometers ideal for optical alignment tasks where the pivot point must coincide with the center of a lens, sample, fiber, or optical component. Multiple goniometers can also be stacked to create a common pivot point for multi-axis angular alignment.
When an application requires simultaneous tip, tilt, rotation, and XYZ translation, a hexapod can often replace multiple stacked angular and linear stages. A six-axis parallel-kinematic hexapod provides all rotational and translational degrees of freedom in a compact package while maintaining a programmable virtual pivot point anywhere in space. This capability is particularly valuable for photonics alignment, semiconductor packaging, aerospace testing, and precision automation.
Download the brochure for more information on tip/tilt platforms, piezo steering mirrors, Z-tip-tilt stages, and 6-axis precision positioning systems.
