How Active Alignment Technology Speeds Up Manufacturing Of Optical Systems

Over the span of forty years, the field of precision positioning and motion control has vaulted forward in broadly beneficial ways.  For example, submicron-resolution linear encoders, once available only in the costliest stages, are now affordably integrated into mechanisms as large as gantries and as small as matchbook-sized nanopositioners. New motor concepts abound, ranging from the familiar DC servo, stepper and linear motors to include novel technologies like high-speed, ultra-stable resonant piezomotors and diminutive stick-slip stages with nanoscale positionability over many millimeters of travel.