Piezo Mechanisms In Optics And Laser Technology

By Scott Jordan, Sr. Director of NanoAutomation Technologies for PI-USA

By Stefan Vorndran, Scott Jordan, Steffen Arnold, PI (Physik Instrumente)

Laser technology is crucial for the advancement of many high tech fields from aerospace to medical diagnostics. The delivery of the laser beam involves precision motion of optical components which is where piezo mechanics comes into play. Piezoelectrics are the gold standard in motion control in terms of speed and precision. Today, laser systems engineers have a large tool box of solutions at their disposal, ranging from highly stable actuators for static fine-tuning to fast piezo auto-focusing devices and highspeed, integrated multi-axis beam steering systems based on piezo-flexure mechanisms.